CAU vs. MCA

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

CAU MCA
Location Atlanta, GA Memphis, TN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 4,000 116
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #971
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu mca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU MCA
Tuition (In State) $21,948 $32,400
Tuition (Out of State) $21,948 $32,400
Room & Board $10,982 $8,890
Avg Net Price $30,015 -
Avg Grant Aid $9,431 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 0%

Admission

CAU MCA
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,153 -
Admitted 9,088 -
Acceptance Rate 56.3%
Enrolled % 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.33
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20
SAT Range 880/1120
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025

Academics

CAU MCA
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)

Outcomes

CAU MCA
Graduation Rate 41% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $29,900
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 33%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $33,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $341

Diversity

CAU MCA
% Men 24% 34%
% Women 76% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low High
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 57%
% Black 84% 29%
% Hispanic 0% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 13% 2%

Students

CAU MCA
% In-State 27% -
% Out-of-State 72% -

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Clark Atlanta University is larger than than MCA based on total student enrollment (4,000 students vs. 116 students)

CAU vs. MCA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or MCA?

  • Memphis College of Art is 47.6% more expensive to attend than CAU for in-state tuition ($32,400.00 vs. $21,948.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 47.6% higher at MCA than Clark Atlanta University ($32,400.00 vs. $21,948.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Memphis College of Art are 23.5% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($8,890 vs. $10,982)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clark Atlanta University than Memphis College of Art (83% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is ?% larger than aid received Memphis College of Art ($9,431 vs. $0)

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

  • Accepted freshman MCA students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at CAU (3.28)

CAU vs. MCA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at CAU is higher than Memphis College of Art (41% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn on average $8,500 more per year than MCA graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $29,900)
  • Clark Atlanta University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than MCA graduates. ($31,000 vs. $33,000)
  • CAU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than MCA graduates. ($320 vs. $341)
  • More MCA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 30%)

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