CAU vs. SWU

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

CAU SWU
Location Atlanta, GA Central, SC
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 4,000 1,175
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #971 #826
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Wesleyan - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu edu.
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU SWU
Tuition (In State) $21,948 $26,520
Tuition (Out of State) $21,948 $26,520
Room & Board $10,982 $9,650
Avg Net Price $30,015 $17,639
Avg Grant Aid $9,431 $19,636
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 100%

Admission

CAU SWU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,153 846
Admitted 9,088 433
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 51.2%
Enrolled % 12.7% 34.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 4.0
Typical High School Grades B A/A+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/20 19/23
SAT Range 880/1120 1013/1160
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

Academics

CAU SWU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Business (66%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Psychology (3%)

Outcomes

CAU SWU
Graduation Rate 41% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $279

Diversity

CAU SWU
% Men 24% 33%
% Women 76% 67%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 63%
% Black 84% 28%
% Hispanic 0% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 13% 1%

Students

CAU SWU
% In-State 27% 58%
% Out-of-State 72% 42%

Campus

CAU SWU
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 SWU based on total student enrollment (4,000 students vs. 1,175 students)

CAU vs. SWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or SWU?

  • Southern Wesleyan University is 20.8% more expensive to attend than CAU for in-state tuition ($26,520.00 vs. $21,948.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.8% higher at SWU than Clark Atlanta University ($26,520.00 vs. $21,948.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Wesleyan University than CAU ($17,639 vs. $30,015)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 13.8% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($9,650 vs. $10,982)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than Clark Atlanta University (100% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 108.2% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($19,636 vs. $9,431)

CAU vs. SWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman SWU students have a 0.72 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at CAU (3.28)
  • CAU has a higher acceptance rate (56.3%) than SWU (51.2%)

CAU vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SWU is higher than Clark Atlanta University (42% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn on average $6,400 more per year than CAU graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $38,400)
  • Southern Wesleyan University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($27,000 vs. $31,000)
  • SWU graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($279 vs. $320)
  • More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 30%)

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