Clark Atlanta University
A good fit for students who prefer a mid-size campus and students from lower-income families. earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. 70% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Clark Atlanta University is a private nonprofit institution located in Atlanta, Georgia with approximately 3,603 undergraduate students enrolled. Clark Atlanta University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 64%. The average net price after financial aid is $37,702 per year. The graduation rate is 49%, and the typical graduate earns $38,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
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".
The numbers tell a mixed story here: a 48% graduation rate and 69% freshman retention suggest that many students who start here don't finish, which is a real concern worth taking seriously. That said, it's an HBCU in Atlanta with genuine networking value, and median debt at graduation is a relatively modest $19,500 — below average for private schools. Worth considering if the campus community and location align with your goals, but have a clear plan for staying on track academically and financially, since median earnings of $38,200 a decade out make every dollar of that $35,115 annual net price count.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: -1% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (3,603 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Georgia
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Georgia State University
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Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA · Public
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA · Public
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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