CAU vs. GS

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

CAU GS
Location Atlanta, GA Statesboro, GA
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 4,000 25,481
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #971 #939
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu georgiasouthern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU GS
Tuition (In State) $21,948 $4,371
Tuition (Out of State) $21,948 $15,425
Room & Board $10,982 $10,316
Avg Net Price $30,015 $15,352
Avg Grant Aid $9,431 $8,806
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 95%

Admission

CAU GS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,153 14,680
Admitted 9,088 13,049
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 88.9%
Enrolled % 12.7% 33.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.36
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 980/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 May 1, 2025

Academics

CAU GS
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

CAU GS
Graduation Rate 41% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $237

Diversity

CAU GS
% Men 24% 40%
% Women 76% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 62%
% Black 84% 26%
% Hispanic 0% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 13% 1%

Students

CAU GS
% In-State 27% 93%
% Out-of-State 72% 6%

Campus

CAU GS
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Georgia Southern University is larger than than CAU based on total student enrollment (25,481 students vs. 4,000 students)

CAU vs. GS Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or GS?

  • Clark Atlanta University is 402.1% more expensive to attend than GS for in-state tuition ($21,948.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 42.3% higher at CAU than Georgia Southern University ($21,948.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Georgia Southern University than CAU ($15,352 vs. $30,015)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southern University are 6.5% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($10,316 vs. $10,982)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Georgia Southern University than Clark Atlanta University (95% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 7.1% larger than aid received Georgia Southern University ($9,431 vs. $8,806)

CAU vs. GS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Georgia Southern University (1089) is 239 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming GS students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman GS students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at CAU (3.28)
  • GS has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than CAU (56.3%)

CAU vs. GS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CAU or GS? 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 GS and CAU.

  • The graduation rate at GS is higher than Clark Atlanta University (47% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Georgia Southern University earn on average $6,400 more per year than CAU graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $38,400)
  • Georgia Southern University students graduate with a $8,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($23,000 vs. $31,000)
  • GS graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($237 vs. $320)
  • More GS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 30%)

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