CAU vs. Freed-Hardeman University

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

CAU Freed-Hardeman University
Location Atlanta, GA Henderson, TN
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 4,135 2,294
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #976 #816
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu fhu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU Freed-Hardeman University
Tuition (In State) $23,484 $25,000
Tuition (Out of State) $23,484 $25,000
Room & Board $12,018 $8,540
Avg Net Price $29,736 $18,267
Avg Grant Aid $11,188 $18,798
% Receiving Grant Aid 78% 100%

Admission

CAU Freed-Hardeman University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 27,672 1,077
Admitted 17,884 976
Acceptance Rate 64.6% 90.6%
Enrolled % 6% 27.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.75
Typical High School Grades B A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 19/26
SAT Range 880/1120 934/1084
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

Academics

CAU Freed-Hardeman University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Education (14%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (11%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

CAU Freed-Hardeman University
Graduation Rate 41% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $40,700
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 68%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $268

Diversity

CAU Freed-Hardeman University
% Men 4% 6%
% Women 11% 12%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 85%
% Black 84% 5%
% Hispanic 0% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 13% 3%

Students

CAU Freed-Hardeman University
% In-State 27% 57%
% Out-of-State 72% 40%

Campus

CAU Freed-Hardeman University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Clark Atlanta University is larger than than Freed-Hardeman University based on total student enrollment (4,135 students vs. 2,294 students)

CAU vs. Freed-Hardeman University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or Freed-Hardeman University?

  • Freed Hardeman University is 6.5% more expensive to attend than CAU for in-state tuition ($25,000.00 vs. $23,484.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.5% higher at Freed-Hardeman University than Clark Atlanta University ($25,000.00 vs. $23,484.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Freed Hardeman University than CAU ($18,267 vs. $29,736)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Freed Hardeman University are 40.7% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($8,540 vs. $12,018)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Freed Hardeman University than Clark Atlanta University (100% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Freed Hardeman University students is 68% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($18,798 vs. $11,188)

CAU vs. Freed-Hardeman University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Freed Hardeman University (1101) is 251 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming Freed-Hardeman University students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Freed-Hardeman University students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at CAU (3.28)
  • Freed-Hardeman University has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than CAU (64.6%)

CAU vs. Freed-Hardeman University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CAU or Freed-Hardeman 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 Freed-Hardeman University and CAU.

  • The graduation rate at Freed-Hardeman University is higher than Clark Atlanta University (50% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Freed Hardeman University earn on average $2,300 more per year than CAU graduates after ten years. ($40,700 vs. $38,400)
  • Freed Hardeman University students graduate with a $5,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($26,000 vs. $31,000)
  • Freed-Hardeman University graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($268 vs. $320)
  • More Freed-Hardeman University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 30%)

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