CAU vs. Warren Wilson

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Warren Wilson College is in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Warren Wilson College 12:1.

CAU vs. Warren Wilson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or Warren Wilson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Warren Wilson College than CAU ($26,084 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark Atlanta University are 2.3% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($12,748 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 46.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CAU (about $13,190 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $28,310.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.6% higher at Warren Wilson than at Clark Atlanta University (about $13,190 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $28,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Clark Atlanta University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 148% larger than aid received by Clark Atlanta University students ($30,887 vs. $12,453).

CAU vs. Warren Wilson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CAU or Warren Wilson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Warren Wilson and CAU.

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 18 at CAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 880/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 16/20; Warren Wilson College 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CAU - Test optional; Warren Wilson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027; Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at CAU (3.28).
• Warren Wilson has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than CAU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 17.9% at Warren Wilson.

CAU vs. Warren Wilson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU and Warren Wilson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Clark Atlanta University's (41%).
• Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($23,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($237 vs. $320).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.