CAU vs. WKU

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

Clark Atlanta University
Western Kentucky University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CAU (64.2% admitted vs 93.9%). Typical SAT 1000 vs 950.
  • Cheaper after aid: WKU. Average net price is $12,548 vs $31,223 at CAU.
  • Graduation: CAU 41% vs WKU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CAU $38,400 vs WKU $37,100 (median).
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Key differences

Clark Atlanta University Western Kentucky University
Acceptance rate
CAU more selective
CAU64.2%
WKU93.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CAU higher
CAU880-1120
WKU840-1050
Average net price
WKU $18,675 less
CAU$31,223
WKU$12,548
In-state tuition
WKU $16,658 less
CAU$28,310
WKU$11,652
Out-of-state tuition
WKU $1,310 less
CAU$28,310
WKU$27,000
Graduation rate
WKU +9 pts
CAU41%
WKU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
CAU +$1,300
CAU$38,400
WKU$37,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CAU 27,245
  • WKU 9,840
  • Admitted
  • CAU 17,497
  • WKU 9,237
  • Acceptance rate
  • CAU 64.2%
  • WKU 93.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CAU 5.7%
  • WKU 30.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CAU 1000
  • WKU 950
  • Typical ACT score
  • CAU 18
  • WKU 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • CAU 3.28
  • WKU 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • CAU B+
  • WKU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CAU Extremely Easy
  • WKU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CAU Low
  • WKU
  • SAT range
  • CAU 880-1120
  • WKU 840-1050
  • ACT range
  • CAU 16-20
  • WKU 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • CAU Test optional
  • WKU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • CAU Apr 1, 2027
  • WKU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CAU $28,310
  • WKU $11,652
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CAU $28,310
  • WKU $27,000
  • Room & board
  • CAU $12,748
  • WKU $12,582
  • Average net price
  • CAU $31,223
  • WKU $12,548
  • Average grant aid
  • CAU $12,453
  • WKU $10,921
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CAU 89%
  • WKU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • CAU 41%
  • WKU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CAU $38,400
  • WKU $37,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • CAU 30%
  • WKU 47%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CAU $31,000
  • WKU $24,250
  • Median loan payment
  • CAU $320
  • WKU $250
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CAU 16:1
  • WKU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • CAU
    • Communication (26%)
    • Business (21%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
  • WKU
    • Business (16%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Location
  • CAU Atlanta, GA
  • WKU Bowling Green, KY
  • Setting
  • CAU Large City
  • WKU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • CAU 4,252
  • WKU 16,291
  • Type
  • CAU Private 4 Year
  • WKU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CAU #975
  • WKU #970

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than CAU based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 4,252 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clark Atlanta University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
  • Clark Atlanta University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark Atlanta University 16:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 1.3% lower than at Clark Atlanta University ($12,582 vs. $12,748).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at CAU than at Western Kentucky University (about $1,310 more per year; $28,310 vs. $27,000).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Clark Atlanta University (99% vs. 89%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clark Atlanta University students is 14% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,453 vs. $10,921).

Admissions details

  • Incoming CAU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 18) as students at WKU (18).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both CAU and WKU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CAU Apr 1, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at CAU (3.28).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.7% at CAU vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than CAU graduates ($24,250 vs. $31,000).
  • Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CAU graduates ($250 vs. $320).
  • More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CAU students, three years after graduation (47% 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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