CAU vs. Livingstone College

Comparable Facts

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

Clark Atlanta University is larger than Livingstone College based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 936 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Livingstone College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Livingstone College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Livingstone College 14:1.

CAU vs. Livingstone College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or Livingstone College? 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 Livingstone College than CAU ($12,826 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Livingstone College are 46.7% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($6,794 vs. $12,748).
• Clark Atlanta University is 54.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Livingstone College (about $10,014 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $18,296.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.7% higher at CAU than at Livingstone College (about $10,014 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $18,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Livingstone College than at Clark Atlanta University (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Livingstone College students is 24.3% larger than aid received by Clark Atlanta University students ($15,485 vs. $12,453).

CAU vs. Livingstone College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clark Atlanta University (1000) is 120 points higher than at Livingstone College (880).
• Incoming CAU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Livingstone College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 880/1120; Livingstone College 800/960.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 16/20; Livingstone College 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CAU - Test optional; Livingstone College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at Livingstone College (2.64).
• CAU has a higher acceptance rate (64.2%) than Livingstone College (59.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 8.6% at Livingstone College.

CAU vs. Livingstone College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU and Livingstone College? 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 Livingstone College's (28%).
• Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Livingstone College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $24,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clark Atlanta University graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Livingstone College graduates ($31,000 vs. $42,000).
• Among borrowers, CAU graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Livingstone College graduates ($320 vs. $434).
• More CAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Livingstone College students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 13%)

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.