Alabama State vs. CAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL with Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than Alabama State based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 4,081 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Clark Atlanta University is in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting).
• Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; Clark Atlanta University 16:1.

Alabama State vs. CAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State or CAU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Alabama State University than CAU ($13,138 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 38.7% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($7,816 vs. $12,748).
• Clark Atlanta University is 151.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Alabama State (about $17,062 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $11,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.6% higher at CAU than at Alabama State University (about $8,734 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $19,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clark Atlanta University than at Alabama State University (89% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 7.5% larger than aid received by Alabama State University students ($12,453 vs. $11,583).

Alabama State vs. CAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State or CAU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CAU and Alabama State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clark Atlanta University (1000) is 140 points higher than at Alabama State (860).
• Incoming CAU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Alabama State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 749/967; Clark Atlanta University 880/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 15/20; Clark Atlanta University 16/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama State - Test optional; CAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027; CAU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at Alabama State (2.95).
• Alabama State has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than CAU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 5.7% at CAU.

Alabama State vs. CAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama State and CAU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Clark Atlanta University's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Alabama State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Alabama State graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $29,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clark Atlanta University graduates have a $1,091 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($31,000 vs. $32,091).
• Among borrowers, CAU graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($320 vs. $331).
• More CAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 20%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.