CAU vs. South Carolina State University

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

CAU South Carolina State University
Location Atlanta, GA Orangeburg, SC
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 4,000 2,649
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #971 #1011
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu scsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU South Carolina State University
Tuition (In State) $21,948 $9,528
Tuition (Out of State) $21,948 $20,218
Room & Board $10,982 $9,000
Avg Net Price $30,015 $17,435
Avg Grant Aid $9,431 $15,873
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 96%

Admission

CAU South Carolina State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,153 6,833
Admitted 9,088 5,733
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 83.9%
Enrolled % 12.7% 15.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.17
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 15/19
SAT Range 880/1120 800/1050
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2025 Jul 31, 2025

Academics

CAU South Carolina State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)

Outcomes

CAU South Carolina State University
Graduation Rate 41% 35%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $31,000
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $33,205
Median Loan Payment $320 $343

Diversity

CAU South Carolina State University
% Men 24% 44%
% Women 76% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Extremely Low
HBCU Yes Yes
% White 0% 2%
% Black 84% 96%
% Hispanic 0% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 13% 0%

Students

CAU South Carolina State University
% In-State 27% 77%
% Out-of-State 72% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Clark Atlanta University is larger than than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (4,000 students vs. 2,649 students)

CAU vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or South Carolina State University?

  • Clark Atlanta University is 130.4% more expensive to attend than South Carolina State University for in-state tuition ($21,948.00 vs. $9,528.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8.6% higher at CAU than South Carolina State University ($21,948.00 vs. $20,218.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Carolina State University than CAU ($17,435 vs. $30,015)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 22% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($9,000 vs. $10,982)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at South Carolina State University than Clark Atlanta University (96% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 68.3% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($15,873 vs. $9,431)

CAU vs. South Carolina State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Clark Atlanta University (850) is 90 points higher than at South Carolina State University (760)
  • Incoming CAU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (18) than students at South Carolina State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at South Carolina State University (3.17)
  • South Carolina State University has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than CAU (56.3%)

CAU vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CAU or South Carolina State 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 South Carolina State University and CAU.

  • The graduation rate at CAU is higher than South Carolina State University (41% vs. 35%)
  • Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn on average $7,400 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $31,000)
  • Clark Atlanta University students graduate with a $2,205 lower median federal student loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates. ($31,000 vs. $33,205)
  • CAU graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than South Carolina State University graduates. ($320 vs. $343)
  • More CAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 27%)

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