CAU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

CAU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern than CAU ($14,546 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 34.9% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($8,300 vs. $12,748).
• Clark Atlanta University is 159.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Tennessee Southern (about $17,386 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159.2% higher at CAU than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $17,386 more per year; $28,310.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Clark Atlanta University (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 20.2% larger than aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students ($12,453 vs. $10,358).

CAU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CAU or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and CAU.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 10 points higher than at CAU (1000).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at CAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 880/1120; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 16/20; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CAU - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at The University of Tennessee Southern (3.17).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than CAU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

CAU vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Clark Atlanta University's (41%).
• Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $8,685 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($22,315 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($230 vs. $320).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.