Brenau University at a Glance

BRENAU UNIVERSITY FAST FACTS

Founded in 1878 in Gainesville, Georgia.

Independent board of trustees oversees this not-for-profit, nonsectarian comprehensive university.

Bren+AU
The name Brenau, adopted circa 1900, combines the German word brennen, “to burn,” with the atomic symbol for gold, AU, from the Latin aurum.

Motto: As gold refined by fire.

Brenau Women’s College represents about 1/4 of the enrollment of the coeducational undergraduate and graduate university.

32% of Brenau students study online in full degree programs at all academic levels.

Brenau comprises 4 academic college units:
Education
Fine Arts & Humanities
Health Sciences
Business & Mass Communication

Jean Westmacott's statue Brenau Woman #2 in the evening sun on Brenau's front lawn.

Brenau President Ed Schrader holds the door for students as they make their way out of the rain and into Pearce Auditorium for Brenau's Fall Convocation. (AJ Reynolds/Brenau University)

Ed L. Schrader, Ph.D., became the ninth president of Brenau University in 2005. The Mississippi native and geologist previously served as president of Shorter University, among his other academic roles, and was a scientist and executive of mineral exploration and development companies.

Rankings and Recognitions

More than 60 independent media measure or rank Brenau academic operations and reputation among hundreds of U.S. colleges and universities. These include:

U.S. News and World Report:
- No. 30 Best Value Regional University,
- No. 52 Regional University,
- No. 8 Campus Ethnic Diversity,
- Best Online Graduate Education Programs,
- No. 32 and No. 58 Occupational Therapy, Best Online Graduate Education Programs
Princeton Review: Best Colleges in the Southeast
Atlanta Business Chronicle: No. 1 MBA in Georgia
Money Magazine: Best Colleges for Your Money 2017-18
Washington Monthly: “Best Bang for the Buck” college value
College Choice:
- No. 11 Best Women’s College,
- No. 34 Best Bachelor’s in Accounting,
- No. 24 Best Southern Regional University

Accreditation & Licensure

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges • Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education • Collegiate Commission for Nursing Education • Council for Interior Design Accreditation • Georgia Professional Standards Commission • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs • Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council • Project Management Institute • Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education • Florida Department of Education Commission for Independent Education

Degrees

Brenau offers doctoral and a range of master’s, specialist, bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as professional certifications in more than 50 areas of study. Degrees and certificates include A.A., B.A., B.M., B.S., BBA, BFA, BSN, CERT, DNP, DPT, Ed.S., M.A., M.S., M.Acc., MAT, MBA, M.Ed., MFA, MID, MSN, MSOT and OTD.

Tuition

Women’s College: $28,110 annually • Coeducational per credit hour: $441-$624 undergraduate, $462-$1,025 graduate, $250 military

3,280+ Total students, unduplicated 12-month headcount

$17,537
Average financial aid package

85.4%
Undergraduates receiving financial aid from any source

60%
HOPE Scholarship-eligible freshmen

4.7%
Percentage of students with veteran benefits

University jobs, faculty (full- and part-time): 148, adjunct faculty: 512, staff: 306, total jobs: 966, Best workplaces: Chronicle of Higher Education, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Brenau boasts one of the finest permanent art collections held by a university in the Southeast, with more than 7,000 pieces.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC IMPACT
$147,495,000

125,000 Annual visitors to galleries, theater and other performances, including 7,000 schoolchildren

400+ Members of Brenau University Learning & Leisure Institute (BULLI) for senior adult learning

SORORITIES

20,000+
LIVING ALUMNI

15,000+
ALUMNI LIVING IN GEORGIA

BRENAU CAMPUSES

Brenau operates undergraduate and graduate programs at three Gainesville locations, on other Georgia campuses in Augusta, Fairburn and Norcross, and in Jacksonville, Florida.