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Clark Atlanta University

Clark Atlanta University

Atlanta, GA · City · 3,603 students
Website Common App Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$37,702
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
48%
Graduation rate
70% typical
$42,712
Earnings 10 years on
$63,395 typical
64%
Acceptance rate
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Formed by the historic consolidation of two pioneering institutions, Clark Atlanta University is a premier private HBCU recognized for its rich research heritage, social justice advocacy, and status as the largest institution in the prestigious Atlanta University Center (AUC) Consortium. Academically, CAU is particularly noted for strong programs within the School of Business Administration, the Mass Media Arts department, the biological sciences, and the historic Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work. Student life pulses with deep cultural pride, active Greek organizations, and spirited traditions, while the AUC dual-degree and cross-registration opportunities allow students to leverage the shared academic and social resources of neighboring Morehouse and Spelman Colleges.

Wikipedia:Clark Atlanta University is a private, Methodist, historically black research university in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It was founded on September 19, 1865, as Atlanta University, the first HBCU in the United States to confer graduate degrees to African Americans. In 1988, the school consolidated with Clark College to form CAU. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

Location
Atlanta, GA, 30314 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ATL · Atlanta
7 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$28,310
Housing & food (on campus)$12,748
Books & supplies$1,900
Cost of attendance$43,676
Average net price$37,702
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$28,310
Housing & food (on campus)$12,748
Books & supplies$1,900
Cost of attendance$43,676
Average net price$37,702
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$37,356
$30–48k
$39,270
$48–75k
$39,009
$75–110k
$39,514
$110k+
$38,680
Grants from the school
48% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $11,400
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
48%
Within 4 yrs
37%
Back for yr 2
71%
Transferred
13%
Pell students: 46.6% · others: 53.6% 
8 yrs after starting
43% graduated · 22% transferred · 34% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$28,097
10 yrs after entry$42,712
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$6.5k–$31k
90th percentile$43,500
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
64%
Test policy
Not required
ACT midpoint
19
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 55.1% · women 67.2% 
Yield: 5.7% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If Clark Atlanta University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 23%Women 77%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
70%
First-gen
32%
Family income
$28,746
Independent
6%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
2%
Where first-years come from
In state (GA)
27.0%
Out of state
72.1%
International
0.1%

Most out-of-state first-years from: CA 91 · FL 82 · TX 55 · MD 52 · NY 50

Race & ethnicity
Hispanic
1%
Black
54%
Two or more
6%
Unknown
39%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$28,097
After 10 yrs
$42,712
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication100
Business Administration, Management and Operations81
Psychology, General57
Criminal Justice and Corrections39
Design and Applied Arts33
Biology, General23
Political Science and Government16
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods13
Computer and Information Sciences, General9
Computer Science9
Social Work8
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft8
Sociology7
History7
Education, General6
Accounting and Related Services6
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$116M
Full-time faculty
59%
Faculty salary
$8,446/mo
Teaching spend
$9,940
per student
Federal loans
80%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R2 — high research
$13M research spending · 33 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Clark Atlanta University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search