CAU vs. CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

CAU vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or CU? 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 Cumberland University than CAU ($18,499 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark Atlanta University are 0.4% lower than at Cumberland University ($12,748 vs. $12,800).
• Clark Atlanta University is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU (about $470 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at CAU than at Cumberland University (about $470 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $27,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Clark Atlanta University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 98.4% larger than aid received by Clark Atlanta University students ($24,703 vs. $12,453).

CAU vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CAU or CU? 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 CU and CAU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 880/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 16/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CAU - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at CAU (3.28).
• CU has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than CAU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 40.5% at CU.

CAU vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU and CU? 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 Cumberland University's (34%).
• Graduates from Cumberland University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than CAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,900 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $9,271 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($21,729 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($224 vs. $320).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 30%)

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.