CAU vs. Georgia Southwestern

Comparable Facts

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

Clark Atlanta University is larger than Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 3,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Georgia Southwestern State University is in Americus, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Georgia Southwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Georgia Southwestern State University 18:1.

CAU vs. Georgia Southwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or Georgia Southwestern? 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 Georgia Southwestern State University than CAU ($11,769 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southwestern State University are 14.9% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($10,850 vs. $12,748).
• Clark Atlanta University is 442.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Southwestern (about $23,090 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.8% higher at CAU than at Georgia Southwestern State University (about $11,738 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $16,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia Southwestern State University than at Clark Atlanta University (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 36.8% larger than aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students ($12,453 vs. $9,104).

CAU vs. Georgia Southwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clark Atlanta University (1000) is the same as at Georgia Southwestern (1000).
• Incoming Georgia Southwestern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at CAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 880/1120; Georgia Southwestern State University 890/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 16/20; Georgia Southwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CAU - Test optional; Georgia Southwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027; Georgia Southwestern Jul 21, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17).
• Georgia Southwestern has a higher acceptance rate (75.2%) than CAU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 31.5% at Georgia Southwestern.

CAU vs. Georgia Southwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU and Georgia Southwestern? 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 Georgia Southwestern State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $300 more per year than Georgia Southwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgia Southwestern State University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($22,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Georgia Southwestern graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($227 vs. $320).
• More Georgia Southwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.