University of West Alabama vs. CAU

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

University of West Alabama CAU
Location Livingston, AL Atlanta, GA
Setting Remote Rural Large City
Enrollment 6,194 4,135
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #1007 #976
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uwa.edu cau.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of West Alabama CAU
Tuition (In State) $9,100 $23,484
Tuition (Out of State) $18,200 $23,484
Room & Board $8,166 $12,018
Avg Net Price $14,781 $29,736
Avg Grant Aid $7,790 $11,188
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 78%

Admission

University of West Alabama CAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,041 27,672
Admitted 1,778 17,884
Acceptance Rate 87.1% 64.6%
Enrolled % 17.7% 6%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.28
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/22 16/20
SAT Range 820/978 880/1120
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 Aug 10, 2026 Apr 1, 2026

Academics

University of West Alabama CAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (27%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (14%)
  • English and Literature (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Communication (26%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

University of West Alabama CAU
Graduation Rate 28% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,500 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 30%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,489 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $273 $320

Diversity

University of West Alabama CAU
% Men 13% 4%
% Women 44% 11%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 45% 0%
% Black 40% 84%
% Hispanic 2% 0%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 13%

Students

University of West Alabama CAU
% In-State 77% 27%
% Out-of-State 21% 72%

Campus

University of West Alabama CAU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of West Alabama is larger than than CAU based on total student enrollment (6,194 students vs. 4,135 students)

University of West Alabama vs. CAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama or CAU?

  • Clark Atlanta University is 158.1% more expensive to attend than University of West Alabama for in-state tuition ($23,484.00 vs. $9,100.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29% higher at CAU than University of West Alabama ($23,484.00 vs. $18,200.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of West Alabama than CAU ($14,781 vs. $29,736)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 47.2% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($8,166 vs. $12,018)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of West Alabama than Clark Atlanta University (93% vs. 78%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 43.6% larger than aid received University of West Alabama ($11,188 vs. $7,790)

University of West Alabama vs. CAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of West Alabama (930) is 80 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming University of West Alabama students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16)
  • University of West Alabama has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than CAU (64.6%)

University of West Alabama vs. CAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of West Alabama or CAU? 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 CAU and University of West Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at CAU is higher than University of West Alabama (41% vs. 28%)
  • Graduates from University of West Alabama earn on average $100 more per year than CAU graduates after ten years. ($38,500 vs. $38,400)
  • University of West Alabama students graduate with a $4,511 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($26,489 vs. $31,000)
  • University of West Alabama graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($273 vs. $320)
  • More University of West Alabama graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 30%)

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