CAU vs. Columbia International University

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

 CAU Columbia International University
Location Atlanta, GA Columbia, SC
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 4,000 2,481
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #971 #705
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cau.edu ciu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CAU Columbia International University
Tuition (In State) $21,948 $25,620
Tuition (Out of State) $21,948 $25,620
Room & Board $10,982 $9,950
Avg Net Price $30,015 $19,911
Avg Grant Aid $9,431 $18,834
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 95%

Admission

 CAU Columbia International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,153 506
Admitted 9,088 244
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 48.2%
Enrolled % 12.7% 73.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.28 3.5
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/20 16/25
SAT Range 880/1120 990/1195
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Apr 1, 2024 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

 CAU Columbia International University
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%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (69%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • General Studies (6%)
  • Communication (3%)

Outcomes

 CAU Columbia International University
Graduation Rate 41% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,400 $33,400
Making Student Loan Payments 30% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $320 $222

Diversity

 CAU Columbia International University
% Men 24% 46%
% Women 76% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 0% 72%
% Black 84% 10%
% Hispanic 0% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 13% 6%

Students

 CAU Columbia International University
% In-State 27% 59%
% Out-of-State 72% 38%

Campus

 CAU Columbia International University
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 Columbia International University based on total student enrollment (4,000 students vs. 2,481 students)

CAU vs. Columbia International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or Columbia International University?

  • Columbia International University is 16.7% more expensive to attend than CAU for in-state tuition ($25,620.00 vs. $21,948.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.7% higher at Columbia International University than Clark Atlanta University ($25,620.00 vs. $21,948.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbia International University than CAU ($19,911 vs. $30,015)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia International University are 10.4% lower than costs at Clark Atlanta University ($9,950 vs. $10,982)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia International University than Clark Atlanta University (95% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia International University students is 99.7% larger than aid received Clark Atlanta University ($18,834 vs. $9,431)

CAU vs. Columbia International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Columbia International University (1045) is 195 points higher than at CAU (850)
  • Incoming Columbia International University students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at CAU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Columbia International University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CAU (3.28)
  • CAU has a higher acceptance rate (56.3%) than Columbia International University (48.2%)

CAU vs. Columbia International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CAU or Columbia International University? 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 Columbia International University and CAU.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia International University is higher than Clark Atlanta University (57% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Clark Atlanta University earn on average $5,000 more per year than Columbia International University graduates after ten years. ($38,400 vs. $33,400)
  • Columbia International University students graduate with a $9,500 lower median federal student loan debt than CAU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $31,000)
  • Columbia International University graduates are paying $98 less per month on federal student loans than CAU graduates. ($222 vs. $320)
  • More Columbia International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 30%)

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