Considering my situation. I am a poor college student, with an AR-15. I have it set up with a FF tube, Magpul CTR and a few other nick nacks. The rifle is a carbine gas system. The Spikes M4 upper, or with the M203 notch and a 16" barrel. I cannot afford to get a mid length in the foreseeable future, but given what I have to work with would buying a Battle Comp/Surefire Brake/PWS really help with the muzzle climb? I’m looking around a maximum price range of 150.
I live in an AWB state so my only option is a comp. I purchased the Battle Comp 1.5" for my BCM 14.5" midi. It can be loud but not as bad as some of the others available on the market. If I didn’t live in MA I probably wouldn’t have installed a comp. As for muzzle climb it does the job as far as reducing it. In my opinion muzzle climb can be controlled with proper handling of an AR and training. If you were running a suppressed AR then I guess a comp is a good choice for that.
One thing I did to smooth out the felt recoil was to add an H2 buffer and a sprinco blue spring. My BCM shoots about as flat as I think I can possibly get it to. If you really want a comp then the Battlecomp will serve you well.
OP
Save the money! You don’t need any of the muzzle devices right now. Figure that you can buy a middy 16" barrel for around 300 ± dollars, save that 150 and put it towards a new barrel.
However, instead of spending the money on add ons, buy ammo and get out to the range. Work the rifle and learn the way it shoots. Learn how to control it and learn the way it runs.
After that, once you’re confident with the rifle, get the add ons.
Given my situation, I cannot spend much more than a brake. Really, I don’t have it high on the priority list to go to a mid. I am curious, given my circumstance, will a brake alleviate some of the impulse/muzzle rise substantially?
How much have you shot the gun?
This rifle was acquired last year around July. I’ve fired about 2500ish down the pipe.
Just shoot the carbine with an A2 flash hider, there is no need to change the muzzle device at all.
What muzzle device do you use and recommend for 14.5" and 16" carbines? The standard A2 or something like a BattleComp?
Kyle Defoor: A2
The $150 on your muzzle trinket could be a can of M855 @ Walmart.
Just sayin’…
I agonized over spending almost a $100 on a PWS fsc for my DD chf m4 barrel but went with an $8 A2 instead. And have still considered adding a comp but I definitely think a carbine gas system is manageable in getting back on target if as others have said, you get to know your gun, also as others have stated muzzle rise/recoil can be mitigated through spring and buffer changes.
I have a BC 1.0 on my carbine. I like it very much, but I don’t need it to shoot my carbine well. Save your money for now
I believe there are more than a few classes that can be taken in your price range. This will do far more for you in terms of mitigating muzzle rise than any device will.
Good point as well. But better to train early, IMO, than buy more ammo and continue practicing the wrong way 
I really like my Battlecomp and can tell a difference. If I had to do it again, I would not get a comp. Mine was $150 for the comp and $45 for the pinning. I should have out that money toward an Aimpoint or ammo.
I own both carbine and midlength 16" guns, and the difference between a standard A2 and Battlecomp is not that noticeable (basically, it isn’t going to magically improve your shooting ability).
You’d be better off saving the money you’d use for the comp and put it towards more ammo, or training. With the proper stance and grip on the carbine, you’d be surprised how little muzzle climb there is (not much).
I have no problems shooting fast with an A2 on any of my guns. Stick with what you have.
As for switching to midlength… Why? What will $300 do for you? How is the recoil limiting your performance?
If you just want one say so, but it sounds like money is tight and you think you will gain an edge switching and that is not the case.
Having gone from shooting a Surefire brake on a 12.5" SBR, to an A2 on the same gun, to using the same brake on a 16" mid length I can honestly say it’s not worth it. Yes the gun had reduced felt recoil when using it with the brake, but in all honesty I can shoot just as fast with an $8 A2 comp as compared to a $150 brake.
I will; however, be reverting back to a muzzle brake if and when I get my suppressor.