CAU vs. North Carolina Central University

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

CAU North Carolina Central University
Location Atlanta, GA Durham, NC
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 4,000 7,553
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #971 #940
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu nccu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU North Carolina Central University
Tuition (In State) $21,948 $3,728
Tuition (Out of State) $21,948 $16,764
Room & Board $10,982 $11,864
Avg Net Price $30,015 $13,708
Avg Grant Aid $9,431 $16,168
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 96%

Admission

CAU North Carolina Central University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,153 8,423
Admitted 9,088 7,107
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 84.4%
Enrolled % 12.7% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.27
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 15/23
SAT Range 880/1120 810/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

CAU North Carolina Central University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

CAU North Carolina Central University
Graduation Rate 41% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $35,200
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $320

Diversity

CAU North Carolina Central University
% Men 24% 30%
% Women 76% 70%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 0% 6%
% Black 84% 81%
% Hispanic 0% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 13% 2%

Students

CAU North Carolina Central University
% In-State 27% 65%
% Out-of-State 72% 29%

Campus

CAU North Carolina Central University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Carolina Central University is larger than than CAU based on total student enrollment (7,553 students vs. 4,000 students)

CAU vs. North Carolina Central University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or North Carolina Central University?

  • Clark Atlanta University is 488.7% more expensive to attend than North Carolina Central University for in-state tuition ($21,948.00 vs. $3,728.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.9% higher at CAU than North Carolina Central University ($21,948.00 vs. $16,764.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina Central University than CAU ($13,708 vs. $30,015)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark Atlanta University are 8% lower than costs at North Carolina Central University ($10,982 vs. $11,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at North Carolina Central University than Clark Atlanta University (96% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina Central University students is 71.4% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($16,168 vs. $9,431)

CAU vs. North Carolina Central University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at North Carolina Central University (879) is 29 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming North Carolina Central University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (19) than students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at North Carolina Central University (3.27)
  • North Carolina Central University has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than CAU (56.3%)

CAU vs. North Carolina Central University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CAU or North Carolina Central University? 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 North Carolina Central University and CAU.

  • The graduation rate at CAU is higher than North Carolina Central University (41% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn on average $3,200 more per year than North Carolina Central University graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $35,200)
  • North Carolina Central University and CAU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($31,000 vs. $31,000)
  • North Carolina Central University and CAU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($320 vs. $320)
  • More CAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Carolina Central University students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 23%)

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