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PrivateUrbanHBCU

Clark Atlanta University

CAU

Atlanta, Georgia 30314

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Campus Vibe

Mid-SizeUrbanPrivateHBCU

Known for business

Clark Atlanta University is a private institution in Atlanta with particular strength in business and psychology.

A mid-sized campus of 3.5K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

48% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $42,712 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $35,115.

Established
1865
Motto
"I'll Find a Way or Make One"
Mascot
Panther
Type
Private historically black research university

Plan Your Visit

65%Acceptance
—SAT Avg
3,482Students
16:1Student:Faculty
48%Grad Rate
$42,712Earnings 10yr
$35,115Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Clark Atlanta University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate64.6%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

64.6%

Trend

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$26,446
Room & Board$12,018
Books & Supplies$1,900
Total Cost of Attendance$40,924
Average Net Price$35,115
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$33,555
$30–48K$34,611
$48–75K$37,249
$75–110K$38,230
$110K+$39,940

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

12.1%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

26

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

7

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

3

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

7

Drug Arrests

5

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (62)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

69%

Negative
  • •69% first-year retention rate
  • •Active student organizations
  • •Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
3,482
Gender Split
77% / 23%
Women / Men
First Generation
32%
Pell Grant Recipients
69%

Race & Ethnicity

Black 62%
Hispanic 1%
Two+ 8%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate47.8%
Freshman Retention69.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$28,097
10 Years$42,712

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#361
—
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#161
↑2
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • •History Atlanta University was founded on September 19, 1865, and was among the first HBCUs in the Southern United States.
  • •It holds the distinction of being the nation's first graduate institution to award degrees to African Americans and the first to award bachelor's degrees to African Americans in the South.
  • •The two institutions consolidated in 1988 to form Clark Atlanta University.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ATL Atlanta7 mi
BHM Birmingham135 mi
BNA Nashville208 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA937 mi · ~27h 4m drive
New York, NY747 mi · ~21h 35m drive
Hartford, CT846 mi · ~24h 26m drive
Providence, RI901 mi · ~26h 2m drive
Albany, NY843 mi · ~24h 21m drive
Syracuse, NY782 mi · ~22h 35m drive
Rochester, NY746 mi · ~21h 33m drive
Buffalo, NY699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
Philadelphia, PA667 mi · ~19h 16m drive
Pittsburgh, PA522 mi · ~15h 5m drive
Harrisburg, PA612 mi · ~17h 41m drive
Newark, NJ741 mi · ~21h 24m drive
Washington, DC543 mi · ~15h 41m drive
Baltimore, MD578 mi · ~16h 42m drive
Atlanta, GA1 mi · ~2 min drive
Charlotte, NC228 mi · ~6h 35m drive
Raleigh, NC356 mi · ~10h 17m drive
Miami, FL607 mi · ~17h 32m drive
Orlando, FL402 mi · ~11h 37m drive
Tampa, FL417 mi · ~12h 3m drive
Nashville, TN214 mi · ~6h 11m drive
New Orleans, LA423 mi · ~12h 13m drive
Richmond, VA471 mi · ~13h 36m drive
Chicago, IL588 mi · ~16h 59m drive
Detroit, MI598 mi · ~17h 17m drive
Minneapolis, MN907 mi · ~26h 12m drive
St. Louis, MO466 mi · ~13h 28m drive
Kansas City, MO675 mi · ~19h 30m drive
Indianapolis, IN427 mi · ~12h 20m drive
Columbus, OH436 mi · ~12h 36m drive
Cleveland, OH556 mi · ~16h 4m drive
Milwaukee, WI669 mi · ~19h 20m drive
Dallas, TX718 mi · ~20h 45m drive
Houston, TX700 mi · ~20h 13m drive
Austin, TX816 mi · ~23h 34m drive
San Antonio, TX880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Los Angeles, CA1931 mi · ~55h 47m drive
San Francisco, CA2134 mi · ~61h 39m drive
San Diego, CA1886 mi · ~54h 29m drive
Seattle, WA2177 mi · ~62h 53m drive
Portland, OR2168 mi · ~62h 38m drive
Denver, CO1209 mi · ~34h 56m drive
Phoenix, AZ1587 mi · ~45h 51m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1579 mi · ~45h 37m drive
Honolulu, HI4491 mi · ~129h 44m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Atlanta (ATL)7 miles
Rental car
11 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
14 min$8-14
Birmingham (BHM)135 miles
Rental car
203 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
270 min$162-270

Deadline Calendar

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Clark Atlanta University Application Checklist

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Decision Notifications

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Clark Atlanta University — v2 Preview — TourStack