CAU vs. Dominican

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with Dominican University in River Forest, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clark Atlanta University is larger than Dominican based on total student enrollment (4,252 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Dominican University is in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Dominican University 12:1.

CAU vs. Dominican Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CAU or Dominican? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Dominican University than CAU ($13,402 vs. $31,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University are 0.3% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($12,716 vs. $12,748).
• Dominican University is 37.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CAU (about $10,668 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $28,310.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.7% higher at Dominican than at Clark Atlanta University (about $10,668 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $28,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Clark Atlanta University (100% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 147% larger than aid received by Clark Atlanta University students ($30,756 vs. $12,453).

CAU vs. Dominican Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CAU or Dominican? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Dominican and CAU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clark Atlanta University (1000) is 10 points higher than at Dominican (990).
• Incoming Dominican students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at CAU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 880/1120; Dominican University 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clark Atlanta University 16/20; Dominican University 16/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CAU - Test optional; Dominican - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027; Dominican Aug 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at CAU (3.28).
• Dominican has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than CAU (64.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 12.1% at Dominican.

CAU vs. Dominican Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CAU and Dominican? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Clark Atlanta University's (41%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than CAU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dominican University graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($25,000 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Dominican graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($258 vs. $320).
• More Dominican graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.