CAU vs. Austin Peay State University

Should I go to Clark Atlanta University or Austin Peay State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CAU or Austin Peay State University 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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Clark Atlanta University vs. Austin Peay State University comparison
Clark Atlanta University Austin Peay State University College 3 College 4
Clark Atlanta University Austin Peay State University
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Overview

CAU Austin Peay State University
Location Atlanta, GA Clarksville, TN
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 4,135 9,945
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #976 #922
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu apsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU Austin Peay State University
Tuition (In State) $23,484 $7,008
Tuition (Out of State) $23,484 $12,552
Room & Board $12,018 $13,070
Avg Net Price $29,736 $14,679
Avg Grant Aid $11,188 $11,247
% Receiving Grant Aid 78% 94%

Admission

CAU Austin Peay State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 27,672 5,559
Admitted 17,884 5,334
Acceptance Rate 64.6% 96%
Enrolled % 6% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 18/23
SAT Range 880/1120 943/1165
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, 2026 Aug 4, 2026

Academics

CAU Austin Peay State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

CAU Austin Peay State University
Graduation Rate 41% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 44%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $320 $232

Diversity

CAU Austin Peay State University
% Men 4% 4%
% Women 11% 9%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 63%
% Black 84% 20%
% Hispanic 0% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 6%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 13% 2%

Students

CAU Austin Peay State University
% In-State 27% 87%
% Out-of-State 72% 12%

Campus

CAU Austin Peay State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Austin Peay State University is larger than than CAU based on total student enrollment (9,945 students vs. 4,135 students)

CAU vs. Austin Peay State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or Austin Peay State University?

  • Clark Atlanta University is 235.1% more expensive to attend than Austin Peay State University for in-state tuition ($23,484.00 vs. $7,008.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.1% higher at CAU than Austin Peay State University ($23,484.00 vs. $12,552.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin Peay State University than CAU ($14,679 vs. $29,736)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark Atlanta University are 8.8% lower than costs at Austin Peay State University ($12,018 vs. $13,070)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Austin Peay State University than Clark Atlanta University (94% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 0.5% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($11,247 vs. $11,188)

CAU vs. Austin Peay State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Austin Peay State University (1011) is 161 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Austin Peay State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at CAU (3.28)
  • Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than CAU (64.6%)

CAU vs. Austin Peay State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CAU or Austin Peay State University? 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 Austin Peay State University and CAU.

  • The graduation rate at CAU is higher than Austin Peay State University (41% vs. 34%)
  • Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn on average $1,000 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $37,400)
  • Austin Peay State University students graduate with a $8,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($22,500 vs. $31,000)
  • Austin Peay State University graduates are paying $88 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($232 vs. $320)
  • More Austin Peay State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 30%)

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