CAU vs. UVa-Wise

Should I go to Clark Atlanta University or The University of Virginia's College at Wise? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CAU or UVa-Wise 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. The University of Virginia's College at Wise comparison
Clark Atlanta University The University of Virginia's College at Wise College 3 College 4
Clark Atlanta University The University of Virginia's College at Wise
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Overview

CAU UVa-Wise
Location Atlanta, GA Wise, VA
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 4,135 1,911
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #976 #765
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu uvawise.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU UVa-Wise
Tuition (In State) $23,484 $6,040
Tuition (Out of State) $23,484 $26,182
Room & Board $12,018 $12,535
Avg Net Price $29,736 $10,409
Avg Grant Aid $11,188 $13,702
% Receiving Grant Aid 78% 100%

Admission

CAU UVa-Wise
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 27,672 1,414
Admitted 17,884 1,328
Acceptance Rate 64.6% 93.9%
Enrolled % 6% 21.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.57
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 20/25
SAT Range 880/1120 935/1175
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, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

CAU UVa-Wise
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Social Sciences (28%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (21%)
  • Business (17%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • History (7%)

Outcomes

CAU UVa-Wise
Graduation Rate 41% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $42,100
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $20,827
Median Loan Payment $320 $215

Diversity

CAU UVa-Wise
% Men 4% 14%
% Women 11% 22%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 78%
% Black 84% 12%
% Hispanic 0% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 0%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 13% 7%

Students

CAU UVa-Wise
% In-State 27% 74%
% Out-of-State 72% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Clark Atlanta University is larger than than UVa-Wise based on total student enrollment (4,135 students vs. 1,911 students)

CAU vs. UVa-Wise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or UVa-Wise?

  • Clark Atlanta University is 288.8% more expensive to attend than UVa-Wise for in-state tuition ($23,484.00 vs. $6,040.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.5% higher at UVa-Wise than Clark Atlanta University ($26,182.00 vs. $23,484.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Virginia's College at Wise than CAU ($10,409 vs. $29,736)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark Atlanta University are 4.3% lower than costs at The University of Virginia's College at Wise ($12,018 vs. $12,535)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at The University of Virginia's College at Wise than Clark Atlanta University (100% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Virginia's College at Wise students is 22.5% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($13,702 vs. $11,188)

CAU vs. UVa-Wise Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at The University of Virginia's College at Wise (942) is 92 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming UVa-Wise students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman UVa-Wise students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.57) than students at CAU (3.28)
  • UVa-Wise has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CAU (64.6%)

CAU vs. UVa-Wise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CAU or UVa-Wise? 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 UVa-Wise and CAU.

  • The graduation rate at CAU is higher than The University of Virginia's College at Wise (41% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from The University of Virginia's College at Wise earn on average $3,700 more per year than CAU graduates after ten years. ($42,100 vs. $38,400)
  • The University of Virginia's College at Wise students graduate with a $10,173 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($20,827 vs. $31,000)
  • UVa-Wise graduates are paying $105 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($215 vs. $320)
  • More UVa-Wise graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 30%)

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