Admit rate has ranged 55%–65% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is a historic HBCU pulsing with Atlanta’s energy, where academic rigor meets Southern Black culture and a tight-knit community. Known for its strong STEM, business, and arts programs, CAU balances tradition with real-world preparation, though graduation rates lag behind national averages. The campus thrums with Greek life, service ethos, and Panther pride—ideal for students seeking an immersive HBCU experience in a major city.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
3,603
In-state tuition
$28,310
Out-of-state tuition
$28,310
Location
Atlanta, GA
Acceptance Rate
64%
Graduation Rate
42%
Notable Programs
Business, STEM, Arts
On-Campus Housing
65% of students
Median Earnings (6-yrs)
$47,337
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$42,712
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.1×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
49%
First-year retention
71%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
31%
Pell (lower-income) share
81%
First-generation share
32%
Endowment / student
$32,328
Financial health
2.9 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$40,068
Accounting and Related Services$38,289
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$36,941
Biology, General$25,405
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$24,730
Fine and Studio Arts
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
4
Per 1,000 students
1.11
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
101
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
39°F
Annual rain
65.3"
Annual snow
0.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
250
Scholarly works
4,240
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
3.3%
Bottom → top quintile
19%
From bottom quintile
18%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Clark Atlanta University?
Clark Atlanta University's acceptance rate is approximately 64% (Atlanta, GA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Clark Atlanta University cost?
At Clark Atlanta University, the average net price (after aid) is about $37,702 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Clark Atlanta University?
Clark Atlanta University enrolls approximately 3,603 undergraduate students.
Where is Clark Atlanta University located?
Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA.
Admissions
Clark Atlanta University is moderately selective, with a 64% acceptance rate (17,497 accepted from 27,245 applicants in recent cycles). SAT/ACT scores are optional for all applicants, though the university notes that submitting scores may strengthen an application. The application deadline is April 15, and admitted students often highlight the school’s emphasis on Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., including leadership and community involvement. With only 1,200 freshman slots available, competition can be sharper than the Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. suggests—especially for popular programs like business and STEM.
Key stats: 64.6% acceptance rate (sources vary slightly between 64% and 64.62%).
Test-flexible: No SAT/ACT requirement, but submissions are considered.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$24,421
Criminal Justice and Corrections$23,649
Psychology, General$23,166
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
CAU’s academic offerings blend liberal arts foundations with professional preparation, particularly in business, STEM, and the arts. The university requires 100% participation in first-year experiences, writing-intensive courses, and senior capstones, with strong emphasis on undergraduate research and service learning. Standout programs include:
Accelerated dual degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics.
Advertising Design and Art History within the School of Arts & Sciences.
Hands-on learning: Students frequently praise faculty mentorship, with many professors described as deeply invested in student success.
US News notes 100% engagement in writing across disciplines and senior capstones, though the 14:1 student-faculty ratio suggests variability in class sizes.
Life at CAU revolves around tradition, service, and Atlanta’s vibrant Black culture. With 65% of students living on campus, the university fosters a close-knit community anchored by:
Greek life: A cornerstone of social life, with Divine Nine organizations playing a major role.
Culture for Service: The university’s motto translates into frequent community engagement projects.
Location: Atlanta provides internships and nightlife, but the campus itself is described as lively and self-contained, with events like homecoming drawing alumni back en masse.
Niche reviews highlight the ‘welcoming’ vibe and school spirit, though some note limited dining options. Sports (NCAA Division II) and student organizations add to the buzz.
CAU’s graduation rate lags behind national averages at 42% (per College Scorecard), though Pell Grant recipients graduate at a 23.4% rate. Post-grad earnings are modest:
Median earnings: $47,337 (6 years post-enrollment), below the $60,377 national midpoint for 4-year colleges.
Early-career pay: $24,968 at 1 year, rising to $46,256 by year 5 (Niche).
The university emphasizes professional development, with career services reporting fields like healthcare, education, and business as top pathways. However, outcomes data suggests uneven ROI, particularly for low-income students.
CAU shines as an HBCU with deep Atlanta roots, offering:
1. Culture and community: A ‘family-like’ atmosphere steeped in Black tradition, from Greek life to homecoming. 2. Professional pipelines: Strong ties to Atlanta’s corporate and arts sectors, especially for business and STEM majors. 3. Faculty dedication: Students consistently praise professors who ‘go beyond office hours’ to support them.
Drawbacks include graduation rate challenges and middling post-grad earnings, but for students seeking a vibrant HBCU experience in a major city, CAU delivers unmatched spirit and networking.
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