CAU vs. CSU

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

CAU CSU
Location Atlanta, GA Charleston, SC
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 4,000 3,418
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #971 #918
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu csuniv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CAU CSU
Tuition (In State) $21,948 $29,490
Tuition (Out of State) $21,948 $29,490
Room & Board $10,982 $11,250
Avg Net Price $30,015 $17,536
Avg Grant Aid $9,431 $26,417
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 99%

Admission

CAU CSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,153 4,967
Admitted 9,088 4,309
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 86.8%
Enrolled % 12.7% 16.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.24
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 18/23
SAT Range 880/1120 940/1170
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, 2024

Academics

CAU CSU
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 (24%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Biology (8%)

Outcomes

CAU CSU
Graduation Rate 41% 38%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $39,800
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $320 $279

Diversity

CAU CSU
% Men 24% 36%
% Women 76% 64%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 61%
% Black 84% 26%
% Hispanic 0% 3%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 13% 4%

Students

CAU CSU
% In-State 27% 76%
% Out-of-State 72% 23%

Campus

CAU CSU
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 CSU based on total student enrollment (4,000 students vs. 3,418 students)

CAU vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or CSU?

  • Charleston Southern University is 34.4% more expensive to attend than CAU for in-state tuition ($29,490.00 vs. $21,948.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 34.4% higher at CSU than Clark Atlanta University ($29,490.00 vs. $21,948.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Charleston Southern University than CAU ($17,536 vs. $30,015)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark Atlanta University are 2.4% lower than costs at Charleston Southern University ($10,982 vs. $11,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Charleston Southern University than Clark Atlanta University (99% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 180.1% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($26,417 vs. $9,431)

CAU vs. CSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Charleston Southern University (1030) is 180 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman CAU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.28) than students at CSU (3.24)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than CAU (56.3%)

CAU vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at CAU is higher than Charleston Southern University (41% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Charleston Southern University earn on average $1,400 more per year than CAU graduates after ten years. ($39,800 vs. $38,400)
  • Charleston Southern University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($27,000 vs. $31,000)
  • CSU graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($279 vs. $320)
  • More CSU 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/