CAU vs. CU

Clark Atlanta University and Cumberland University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Clark Atlanta University
Cumberland University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CAU (64.2% admitted vs 67.3%). Typical SAT 1000 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: CU. Average net price is $18,499 vs $31,223 at CAU.
  • Graduation: CAU 41% vs CU 34%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CAU $38,400 vs CU $39,900 (median).
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Key differences

Clark Atlanta University Cumberland University
Acceptance rate
CAU more selective
CAU64.2%
CU67.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CAU higher
CAU880-1120
CU-
Average net price
CU $12,724 less
CAU$31,223
CU$18,499
In-state tuition
CU $470 less
CAU$28,310
CU$27,840
Out-of-state tuition
CU $470 less
CAU$28,310
CU$27,840
Graduation rate
CAU +7 pts
CAU41%
CU34%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU +$1,500
CAU$38,400
CU$39,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CAU 27,245
  • CU 2,495
  • Admitted
  • CAU 17,497
  • CU 1,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • CAU 64.2%
  • CU 67.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CAU 5.7%
  • CU 40.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CAU 1000
  • CU
  • Typical ACT score
  • CAU 18
  • CU
  • Average high school GPA
  • CAU 3.28
  • CU 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • CAU B+
  • CU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CAU Extremely Easy
  • CU Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • CAU Low
  • CU Low
  • SAT range
  • CAU 880-1120
  • CU
  • ACT range
  • CAU 16-20
  • CU
  • Submit test scores
  • CAU Test optional
  • CU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CAU Apr 1, 2027
  • CU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CAU $28,310
  • CU $27,840
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CAU $28,310
  • CU $27,840
  • Room & board
  • CAU $12,748
  • CU $12,800
  • Average net price
  • CAU $31,223
  • CU $18,499
  • Average grant aid
  • CAU $12,453
  • CU $24,703
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CAU 89%
  • CU 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • CAU 41%
  • CU 34%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CAU $38,400
  • CU $39,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • CAU 30%
  • CU 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CAU $31,000
  • CU $21,729
  • Median loan payment
  • CAU $320
  • CU $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CAU 16:1
  • CU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • CAU
    • Communication (26%)
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • CU
    • Health Professions (46%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (4%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)
  • Location
  • CAU Atlanta, GA
  • CU Lebanon, TN
  • Setting
  • CAU Large City
  • CU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • CAU 4,252
  • CU 3,457
  • Type
  • CAU Private 4 Year
  • CU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CAU #975
  • CU

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 3,457 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
  • Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark Atlanta University are 0.4% lower than at Cumberland University ($12,748 vs. $12,800).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at CAU than at Cumberland University (about $470 more per year; $28,310 vs. $27,840).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Clark Atlanta University (100% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 98.4% larger than aid received by Clark Atlanta University students ($24,703 vs. $12,453).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at CAU, test-free at CU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CU average a 3.3 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at CAU (3.28).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 40.5% at CU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $9,271 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($21,729 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($224 vs. $320).
  • More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 30%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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