Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Atlanta, Georgia
64.6% Acceptance Rate
Clark Atlanta University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
64.6%Acceptance Rate
3.28Avg GPA
1000Avg SAT
$40,924Annual Cost
$42,712Grad Salary
69.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
64.6%
Avg GPA
3.28
Avg SAT
1000
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
960–1030
Need-Based Aid
69.1% receive Pell
Clark Atlanta University (CAU), an HBCU founded in 1865 in Atlanta, Georgia, excels in business, communications, and STEM. Ranked for social mobility and research.
The historic campus includes business incubators, media studios, and science labs. Its legacy of civil rights activism and corporate partnerships enriches student opportunities.
Clark Atlanta University Acceptance Rate
Clark Atlanta University is moderately selective. 64.6% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What CAU Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 64.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.28 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.08 – 3.27
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.83
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
CAU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at CAU is 3.28. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.98–3.28 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.48–3.68.CAU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.28 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.08 – 3.27
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.88 – 3.07
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.87
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- 500-word essay on a topic of your choice is required; no other CAU-specific supplement.
- Accepts CAU's own application, the Common App, and the Common Black College Application (CBCA).
- Test-optional; reported minimum GPA guidance ranges from 2.5?3.0 depending on source.
- $35 application fee, waivable through a counselor request (accepted until March 1).
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at CAU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Clark Atlanta University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Clark Atlanta University (CAU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if CAU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into CAU Without SAT or ACT?
CAU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Clark Atlanta University Average SAT Score: 1000
The average SAT score of admitted students at Clark Atlanta University is 1000 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1000 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1030 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Clark Atlanta University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 960, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at CAU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1000 | 960 | 1030 |
Below 960, you're behind most admitted students; at 1030 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Clark Atlanta University (CAU) with a 1050 SAT?
A 1050 SAT puts you ahead of most of CAU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CAU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
CAU takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Use the Common Black College Application if you're applying to multiple HBCUs
CAU accepts CAU's own portal, the Common App, and the Common Black College Application (CBCA) - the CBCA lets one application and fee reach dozens of HBCUs at once, which is a real time/cost saver if CAU isn't your only HBCU target.
Write the 500-word essay to show fit with CAU's HBCU mission, not just "why college"
CAU's essay is open-topic but admissions explicitly values applicants who show interest in African American culture, service, and community leadership - ground your essay in a specific experience that shows that, rather than a generic personal narrative.
Submit test scores if you have them, even though they're optional
Scores aren't required, but multiple sources note strong SAT/ACT results meaningfully improve in-house scholarship eligibility - submit if your scores are competitive, skip if they'd drag down an otherwise strong file.
Apply and follow up proactively on financial aid
Student reviews consistently mention financial aid processing delays and lost documents - send financial aid materials early, keep copies, and call to confirm receipt rather than assuming silence means it's on track.
Expert Insight:
Deadlines are reported inconsistently across sources (Nov 1 vs Nov 15 for Early Action; Feb 1 vs Apr 15 for Regular Decision) - confirm the exact current-cycle date directly on cau.edu before treating any single source as final.
CAU Profile
Full Name
Clark Atlanta University (CAU)
City
Atlanta
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
30314
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a CAU Degree Worth It?
CAU offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $60,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.67%.
How much does a degree from CAU Cost?
The sticker price is $40,924/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
69.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 87.9% take federal loans at CAU. File your FAFSA early and list CAU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a CAU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $42,712. That's about 5% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Clark Atlanta University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Judson University | Elgin, IL | 985 | 20 |
| Rockford University | Rockford, IL | 984 | 20 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Clark Atlanta University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Clark Atlanta University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
Degree Programs at CAU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CAU Admissions
Median earnings for Clark Atlanta University graduates sit around $42,712 a year.
Clark Atlanta University costs roughly $40,924 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
With 69.1% of Clark Atlanta University students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong. An early FAFSA filing naming Clark Atlanta University is the key move.
At 64.6%, Clark Atlanta University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Clark Atlanta University average a 3.28 GPA.
Clark Atlanta University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.98 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.88, Clark Atlanta University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Clark Atlanta University — aim above 1000, ideally within the 960–1030 range admitted students typically fall in.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.