AAMU vs. CAU

Should I go to Alabama A & M University or Clark Atlanta University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if AAMU or CAU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Alabama A & M University vs. Clark Atlanta University comparison
Alabama A & M University Clark Atlanta University College 3 College 4
Alabama A & M University Clark Atlanta University
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Overview

 AAMU CAU
Location Normal, AL Atlanta, GA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 6,007 4,000
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1015 #971
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website aamu.edu cau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 AAMU CAU
Tuition (In State) $8,610 $21,948
Tuition (Out of State) $17,220 $21,948
Room & Board $9,520 $10,982
Avg Net Price $14,600 $30,015
Avg Grant Aid $10,066 $9,431
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 83%

Admission

 AAMU CAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,907 16,153
Admitted 6,092 9,088
Acceptance Rate 68.4% 56.3%
Enrolled % 28.3% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.02 3.28
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/19 16/20
SAT Range 830/1033 880/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

 AAMU CAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Human Services (6%)
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

 AAMU CAU
Graduation Rate 32% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $34,300 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 30%
Median Student Loan Debt $35,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $361 $320

Diversity

 AAMU CAU
% Men 39% 24%
% Women 61% 76%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 3% 0%
% Black 92% 84%
% Hispanic 1% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 13%

Students

 AAMU CAU
% In-State 51% 27%
% Out-of-State 38% 72%

Campus

 AAMU CAU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Alabama A & M University is larger than than CAU based on total student enrollment (6,007 students vs. 4,000 students)

AAMU vs. CAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or CAU?

  • Clark Atlanta University is 154.9% more expensive to attend than AAMU for in-state tuition ($21,948.00 vs. $8,610.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.5% higher at CAU than Alabama A & M University ($21,948.00 vs. $17,220.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alabama A & M University than CAU ($14,600 vs. $30,015)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama A & M University are 15.4% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($9,520 vs. $10,982)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Alabama A & M University as Clark Atlanta University (83% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama A & M University students is 6.7% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($10,066 vs. $9,431)

AAMU vs. CAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or CAU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CAU or AAMU .

  • The average SAT score at Alabama A & M University (850) is the same at CAU (850)
  • Incoming AAMU students have at the same average ACT score (18) as students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at AAMU (3.02)
  • AAMU has a higher acceptance rate (68.4%) than CAU (56.3%)

AAMU vs. CAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, AAMU or CAU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CAU and AAMU.

  • The graduation rate at CAU is higher than Alabama A & M University (41% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn on average $4,100 more per year than AAMU graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $34,300)
  • Clark Atlanta University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than AAMU graduates. ($31,000 vs. $35,000)
  • CAU graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than AAMU graduates. ($320 vs. $361)
  • More CAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/