CAU vs. DSC

Comparable Facts

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

Dalton State College is larger than CAU based on total student enrollment (5,135 students vs. 4,252 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Dalton State College is in Dalton, GA (Small City setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Dalton State College 21:1.

CAU vs. DSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or DSC? 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 Dalton State College than CAU ($5,625 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 18.3% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($10,419 vs. $12,748).
• Clark Atlanta University is 748.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $24,974 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 165.7% higher at CAU than at Dalton State College (about $17,654 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College than at Clark Atlanta University (92% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 87.2% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($12,453 vs. $6,654).

CAU vs. DSC Admissions comparison

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

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; DSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027; DSC Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at DSC (3.1).

CAU vs. DSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU and DSC? 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 Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $16,113 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($14,887 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $167 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($153 vs. $320).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.