CAU Admission Requirements
- 3/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Atlanta, GA
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CAU Admission Overview
CAU admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year CAU admitted 64.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.28 GPA (B+) and SAT 880-1120 / ACT 16-20. CAU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CAU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
CAU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Low
Admission difficulty for Clark Atlanta University
Acceptance Rate
The CAU acceptance rate is 64.2%. Last year, 17,497 of 27,245 applicants were admitted. That is the 16th lowest acceptance rate in Georgia.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into CAU and can you get accepted?
CAU is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Clark Atlanta University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.28. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 6% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CAU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.28Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.28
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at CAU typically have around a 3.28 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. CAU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #25 in Georgia for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
CAU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Clark Atlanta University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 cycles. SAT or ACT scores are not required. You may send scores if you think they strengthen your file, and Clark Atlanta will review them with your transcript, leadership, and goals. If your scores do not reflect your potential, the university automatically reviews you as test-optional. First-year applicants are still expected to present a strong college-preparatory record; a 3.0 weighted GPA is preferred but is not a testing cutoff.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.cau.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions
CAU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
880-1120Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
1%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 450
- Math 430
- Composite 880
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 580
- Math 540
- Composite 1120
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at CAU typically score around a 1000 SAT (middle 50% 880–1120) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 40th percentile nationally. CAU ranks #36 in the state of Georgia for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 880 to 1120
SAT policy
CAU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1000 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CAU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
16-20Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
1%25th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite 16
75th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math N/A
- Composite 20
Average ACT
Incoming testers at CAU typically have around a 18 ACT (mid-50 16–20) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 38th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. CAU places #41 among colleges in Georgia for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 16 to 20
ACT policy
You may apply to CAU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 18.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the CAU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Clark Atlanta University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Apr 1, 2027Days left to Apply
213Applicants have 213 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Apr 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Clark Atlanta University is $35.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
CAU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 64.2% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.28 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (880-1120); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Clark Atlanta University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=138947.
GPA calculator: Clark Atlanta University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026