At $35,115/yr net price, Clark Atlanta University graduates earn $42,712/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,712/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $35,115 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $140,460 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,712/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,712/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 16.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $33,555/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $34,611/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $37,249/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $38,230/yr |
| $110,001+ | $39,940/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $67,660 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $66,889 | $57,519 |
| Social Work. | Master | $43,030 | $75,507 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $42,682 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,068 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,941 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $36,401 | $56,556 |
| Education, Other. | Master | $33,993 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $25,405 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
47.8% of students at Clark Atlanta University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Clark Atlanta University asks you to pay about $35,000 a year and hands back median earnings of roughly $43,000 ten years out. That gap is the whole problem. You take on $27,000 in debt for a degree that, on average, pays like a mid-tier job in a city with plenty of them. The return is weak, and the numbers don't hide it.
Your major decides everything here. Business Administration and Accounting graduates land around $40,000 and $38,000, which at least covers the debt load without drowning you. Teacher Education sits close behind. But Biology and Digital Communication grads earn in the mid-$20,000s while carrying the same $27,000 in debt. That is a bad trade. If you enroll for biology expecting a science payoff, this school's data says you won't get it at the bachelor's level, and you'll owe just as much as the business majors who out-earn you by $15,000.
The financial risk is completion. Fewer than half of you graduate, and only about 69% return after year one. If you borrow, drop out, and leave without the degree, you carry the debt with none of the earnings. That is the worst outcome this school produces, and it happens often.
The net price barely moves by income. A family under $30,000 pays about $33,500. a family over $110,000 pays about $39,900. Low-income families get almost no discount here, so the sticker shock hits hardest exactly where budgets are tightest.
This school fits you if you're set on business or accounting, confident you'll finish, and value the Atlanta network. If you want biology, communications, or you're unsure you'll graduate, the debt-to-earnings math points you somewhere cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clark Atlanta University worth the cost?
Clark Atlanta University's graduates earn $42,712 annually after 10 years, which is low relative to the $35,115 yearly cost. With a 48% graduation rate and $27,000 median debt, the financial return is poor for most students.
What are the best paying majors at Clark Atlanta University?
Educational Administration graduates earn the highest at $67,660, followed by some Business Administration tracks at $66,889. Most other programs, including Social Work at $43,030, offer limited earning potential relative to the school's cost.
How much debt do Clark Atlanta University students graduate with?
The median debt load is $27,000, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with low post-graduation earnings averaging $42,712, many graduates will struggle to repay loans quickly.
Does Clark Atlanta University have good financial aid?
The net price of $35,115 per year remains high even after financial aid. Nearly half of students don't graduate, making the investment particularly risky for those who don't complete their degree.