Research.com
Clark Atlanta University logo

Clark Atlanta University

#431 in US ranking Atlanta, GA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Clark Atlanta University award

Cost

Cost / year
$46,270
Tuition & fees
$30,270
Avg. aid
$14,599
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
64%
Avg. SAT
957
Avg. ACT
19

Outcomes

Graduation rate
49%
Median salary
$37,309
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Clark Atlanta University?

Clark Atlanta University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award degrees. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation of an individual professional program.

Accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can be important when applying to graduate school or seeking to transfer credit. It does not, however, require another college to accept a particular course. Applicants considering business, education, social work, or another professionally regulated field should separately check the current standing of the specific program and the licensing rules in the state where they expect to work.

What are the admission requirements at Clark Atlanta University?

First-year applicants to Clark Atlanta University generally need an application, a secondary-school transcript, and evidence of high school completion or an equivalent credential. The university reviews academic preparation rather than operating as an open-admission institution.

Admissions records identify the secondary-school record, GPA, and completion of a college-preparatory program as requirements. Class rank is not required, and recommendations may be considered without being mandatory. SAT and ACT scores are not listed as required or recommended in the reported admissions criteria; applicants should check the policy for their intended entry term before deciding whether to send scores. English-proficiency documentation, including a TOEFL result when applicable, may be required of applicants whose circumstances call for it.

For perspective, the reported first-year admission rate is about 64%: 17,497 applicants were admitted from a pool of 27,245. That figure describes an applicant cohort, not an individual's probability of admission. Graduate applicants and applicants to particular programs may face separate forms, deadlines, prerequisites, or review standards.

What are the application fees and waivers at Clark Atlanta University?

Clark Atlanta University's reported undergraduate application fee is $35. Applicants should check the fee displayed in the application they plan to submit, because charges and waiver procedures can differ by application route or applicant category.

An application-fee waiver, when available, should be requested through the applicable application process or admissions office before paying; a waiver of the application fee is not the same as a waiver of an enrollment deposit. Students with financial need should review the instructions for their application platform and ask admissions what documentation, if any, is required. Graduate and other non-first-year applicants should verify their own fee rather than assuming the undergraduate amount applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Clark Atlanta University?

Clark Atlanta students may explore Army, Air Force, and Navy ROTC through cooperative arrangements with host institutions rather than assuming that CAU operates a separate unit for each branch on its campus.

ROTC typically combines college coursework with military training. Participation, scholarship selection, cross-registration, and eventual service obligations differ by branch and by a student's status. An interested applicant should ask the relevant host detachment whether CAU students can enroll in the intended term, how its courses fit a CAU schedule, and what commitments would accompany a scholarship or commissioning track.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Clark Atlanta University?

Clark Atlanta University accepts transfer applicants and generally considers credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer admission and the award of credit toward a CAU degree are separate decisions: being admitted does not mean every previous course will satisfy a major or graduation requirement.

Transfer students can enter in the fall, spring, or summer under the reported enrollment options. Applicants should be prepared to provide official transcripts from every college attended and should check whether a high school record is also required for their circumstances. The university also reports accepting Advanced Placement credit and certain CLEP subject examinations; the applicable score, course equivalency, and degree requirement should be checked individually.

Before enrolling, a transfer applicant should request a formal evaluation showing both the number of credits accepted and where those credits apply in the intended degree plan. That distinction is particularly important for sequenced majors and for students who must complete a minimum number of credits at CAU to earn its degree.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Clark Atlanta University?

Students interested in studying abroad should check Clark Atlanta University's current international education offerings and approval process before applying to an external program. The key academic question is whether courses taken abroad will count toward a particular CAU degree.

Options can vary by destination, term, and sponsoring organization; a program advertised by a third party should not be assumed to be operated by the university. Students should obtain academic approval in advance, confirm how credits and grades will be recorded, and ask financial aid staff whether their particular aid package can be used for the proposed program. Passport, travel, housing, and insurance costs can also change the financial picture substantially.

Clark Atlanta University Admissions Factors

Avg. SAT
957
Avg. ACT
19
Acceptance rate
64%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
64%
Georgia
73%
US
78%

6% of admitted students enrolled (1,000 of 17,497)

Clark Atlanta University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 27,245
Admission
Total: 17,497
Enrolled
Total: 1,000
Women
Men

How to Apply to Clark Atlanta University

Regular application deadline

May 1

Application fee

$35

Early Decision

Yes, deadline November 1

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

Clark Atlanta University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 270
Out-of-state: 721
International: 1

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,000
Transfer: 159

Clark Atlanta University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

957

Median composite ACT score

19

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Neither required nor recommended

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Navy

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

No

Clark Atlanta University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles