Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is a private Historically Black research university in Atlanta, Georgia, that placed #16 among HBCUs in the US News Best Colleges 2026 edition. The 126-acre Atlanta University Center campus enrols around 4,000 students across four academic schools.
Clark Atlanta University teaches every programme in English through Fall and Spring intakes, offering 40+ tracks across arts and sciences, business, education and social work. GRE and GMAT have been waived for every graduate programme since September 2020, easing the load for Indian applicants targeting the MS Computer Science and MBA streams. Popular Indian-student picks include MBA, MS Computer Science, MS Biological Sciences and Master of Social Work.
- US News HBCU Rank: #16 (2026)
- Acceptance Rate: 55% (estimated)
- Intakes: Fall (August) and Spring (January)
- PG Tuition: $33,330 per year (₹31.50 lakh)
- UG All-in Annual Cost: $31,540 (₹29.80 lakh)
- Test Waiver: No GRE or GMAT required for any graduate track
Also Check: MS Universities in USA Guide
Clark Atlanta University accepts the Common App and the Common Black College Application, and merit awards start from a 3.3 GPA baseline. Indian students enrol on an F-1 student visa and can use 12 months of OPT after graduation, extended to 36 months on STEM tracks. Atlanta living costs sit roughly 25% below the US metro average, keeping the total India-payable spend competitive against most private HBCU peers.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = ₹94.5 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Closing Soon (Spring 2027 intake). The Spring 2027 graduate deadline and the Fall 2027 undergraduate Early Action deadline both fall on 1 November 2026, roughly six weeks from today. The Fall 2027 graduate window is also open and closes 1 April 2027, while Fall 2027 undergraduate Regular Decision closes 1 March 2027. Indian applicants should submit before the November window to preserve I-20 and F-1 visa lead time.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at Clark Atlanta University 2027
- Clark Atlanta University Admission 2027
- Clark Atlanta University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Clark Atlanta University Acceptance Rate 2027
- Clark Atlanta University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Clark Atlanta University Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Clark Atlanta University Scholarships 2027
- Clark Atlanta University Rankings 2027
- Clark Atlanta University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Clark Atlanta University vs Peer Universities
- Clark Atlanta University FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at Clark Atlanta University 2027
Clark Atlanta University charges graduate tuition on a per-credit-hour basis at $1,111 for the 2026-27 cycle, plus $2,638 in mandatory annual fees. Most PG programmes run 30-36 credits over two years, so the full-time annual estimate lands at $33,330 tuition. Undergraduate tuition is billed annually at $27,962 plus $3,578 in fees for an all-in $31,540 per year.
Clark Atlanta University Top 10 PG Programmes and Fees 2027
The table below covers the ten graduate programmes CAU offers most visibly to Indian applicants, with the full-time annual fee benchmarked to the University’s own 2026-27 schedule.
| Programme | Annual Fee (USD) | Annual Fee (₹ lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10 (recommended); GMAT waived |
| MS Computer Science | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s in CS or related with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); GRE waived |
| MS Biological Sciences | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s in biology or life sciences with 55% (recommended) |
| MS Chemistry | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s in chemistry with 55% (recommended) |
| MA Accounting | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s in commerce or business with 55% (recommended) |
| MA Criminal Justice | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% (recommended) |
| MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s in psychology or social sciences with 55% (recommended) |
| Master of Social Work (MSW) | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% (recommended); statement of purpose required |
| MA African American Studies | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% (recommended); writing sample |
| MA Political Science | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | Bachelor’s with 55% (recommended); GRE waived |
Clark Atlanta University Top 5 UG Programmes and Fees 2027
Undergraduate fees at CAU are billed annually and cover 12 to 18 credit hours; the four-year total below assumes standard full-time enrolment.
| Programme | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (₹ lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA Fashion Design and Merchandising | $126,160 | ₹119.22 lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 85% (recommended); portfolio optional |
| BS Computer Science | $126,160 | ₹119.22 lakh | Class 12 with 75% (recommended); Maths mandatory |
| BBA Business Administration | $126,160 | ₹119.22 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) |
| BA Political Science | $126,160 | ₹119.22 lakh | Class 12 with 70% (recommended) |
| BS Biological Sciences | $126,160 | ₹119.22 lakh | Class 12 with 75% (recommended); Biology mandatory |
Insider note: Indian PG applicants at Clark Atlanta University cluster around MBA, MS Computer Science and MSW, since these three tracks combine the waived GRE or GMAT, STEM OPT eligibility for MS Computer Science, and CSWE-accredited licensure pathways for MSW.
Read More: Clark Atlanta University Fees and Cost of Living Guide
Clark Atlanta University Admission 2027
Clark Atlanta University runs Fall (August) and Spring (January) intakes; Indian applicants typically target the Fall cycle for wider programme choice and scholarship pools.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| UG Fall 2027 Early Action deadline | 1 November 2026 | Non-binding; earliest scholarship consideration |
| UG Fall 2027 Regular Decision deadline | 1 March 2027 | Standard application track for most Indian applicants |
| Grad Spring 2027 deadline | 1 November 2026 | Limited to programmes accepting Spring entry; confirm at gradapply.cau.edu |
| Grad Fall 2027 deadline | 1 April 2027 | Window opened 1 August 2026; earlier submission preferred for I-20 issuance |
| Credential verification (WES or ECE) | Start 8 to 10 weeks before deadline | Course-by-course evaluation required for Indian transcripts |
| Fall 2027 programme start | August 2027 | Orientation begins in the week before classes |
Planning note: Indian applicants targeting Fall 2027 at CAU should schedule the F-1 visa slot for June or July 2027, since Consulate slots for Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai tend to book out from late May.
Read More: Clark Atlanta University Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Clark Atlanta University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
Clark Atlanta University admission requirements for Indian students focus on academic transcripts, English proficiency and credential verification, with GRE and GMAT waived across all graduate programmes.
Clark Atlanta University PG Requirements for Indian Applicants
Graduate applicants from India submit four core documents alongside the online application on the CAU graduate portal.
- Bachelor’s degree: Four-year (or three-year plus one-year bridging) with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); some programmes prefer 60%
- English proficiency: TOEFL PBT 500 or TOEFL CBT 173 or IELTS 4.5 minimum for graduate admission
- Credential verification: WES or ECE course-by-course evaluation of Indian marksheets and degree certificate
- Statement of purpose plus two letters of recommendation; GRE and GMAT waived for all programmes since September 2020
Clark Atlanta University UG Requirements for Indian Applicants
Undergraduate applicants use either the Common App, the Common Black College Application or CAU’s own FuturePanther portal.
- Class 12 academic: Central or State board pass with 70% to 85% (recommended) for competitive scholarship pools
- English proficiency: TOEFL PBT 500 or TOEFL CBT 173 or IELTS 5.0 minimum for undergraduate admission
- Application fee $35, plus WES or ECE evaluation of Class 10 and 12 marksheets
Note: The English test is waived for Indian applicants whose entire secondary or bachelor’s coursework was English-medium AND completed in a country where English is the primary language, so most Indian applicants still need the TOEFL or IELTS score.
Clark Atlanta University Acceptance Rate 2027
Clark Atlanta University does not publish an official acceptance rate; aggregator estimates place it at 55% (estimated), classifying CAU as moderately selective within the HBCU tier. The single figure is a directional benchmark, not a University-issued number.
Indian applicants typically clear the academic bar comfortably; the tighter filter is on English proficiency, statement of purpose quality, and on-time credential evaluation. Competitive applicants exceed the minimum GPA and IELTS thresholds by a full band.
Reality check: A 55% headline acceptance rate does not mean CAU is a safety school for underprepared Indian applicants, since incomplete WES reports and weak SOPs are the most common denial reasons, not academic scores alone.
Read More: Clark Atlanta University Acceptance Rate
Clark Atlanta University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Total annual budget for an Indian PG student at Clark Atlanta University runs $52,000 to $58,000 (₹49.14 to ₹54.81 lakh), combining tuition with Atlanta housing, food and personal expenses.
Clark Atlanta University Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027
Tuition varies by level and by whether the student adds the University’s health insurance rider, which most F-1 visa holders take.
| Level | Annual Fee (USD) | Annual Fee (₹ lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| UG tuition plus fees (no insurance) | $31,540 | ₹29.80 lakh |
| UG tuition plus fees (with $1,318 insurance) | $32,858 | ₹31.05 lakh |
| PG full-time tuition plus fees (estimate) | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh |
| PG per credit hour | $1,111 | ₹1.05 lakh |
[Source: Clark Atlanta University Office of Student Accounts, 2026-27 Fee Schedule]
Monthly Cost of Living in Atlanta for Indian Students
Atlanta living costs sit below Boston, New York and San Francisco but slightly above Southern peers like Houston. The estimates below assume off-campus shared housing near the Atlanta University Center.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared apartment) | $700 to $1,000 (estimated) | ₹66,150 to ₹94,500 |
| Food and groceries | $350 to $500 (estimated) | ₹33,075 to ₹47,250 |
| Transportation (MARTA pass) | $95 (estimated) | ₹8,978 |
| Books and supplies | $100 (estimated) | ₹9,450 |
| Personal and utilities | $250 (estimated) | ₹23,625 |
| Total monthly | $1,495 to $1,945 (estimated) | ₹1.41 lakh to ₹1.84 lakh |
| Total annual living cost | $17,940 to $23,340 (estimated) | ₹16.95 lakh to ₹22.06 lakh |
Insider note: On-campus CAU housing runs $8,000 to $10,000 per year, and Indian PG students often split a two-bedroom apartment in West End or Vine City to cut monthly rent to $600 to $750 per head.
Read More: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students
Clark Atlanta University Campus, Facilities and Student Life
Clark Atlanta University’s 126-acre campus sits within the Atlanta University Center consortium, next to Morehouse and Spelman on the west side of downtown Atlanta.
- Location and transit: The West End MARTA rail station is a 10-minute walk, connecting Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and downtown
- Housing: Nine on-campus residence halls; housing not guaranteed for graduate students, most Indian PG applicants live off-campus
- Facilities: Robert W. Woodruff Library shared across the AUC consortium, giving access to 1.5 million volumes and joint labs
- Indian student community: Small but active graduate cohort concentrated in MS Computer Science, MSW and MBA
What Indian students say: Grocery runs work through Patel Brothers on Buford Highway, a 25-minute drive; the AUC shuttle links CAU with Morehouse and Spelman classes; on-campus events during Black History Month and Homecoming carry a distinct HBCU cultural weight.
Clark Atlanta University Scholarships 2027
Clark Atlanta University scholarships for Indian students are mostly merit-based institutional awards and Georgia state grants; no CAU award is India-nationality specific.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAU Merit Scholarship | Merit | Varies; verify at cau.edu | First-year undergraduates with 3.3 GPA minimum | Automatic with admissions application |
| Undergraduate Studies Scholarship Program | Need plus merit | Varies annually | Continuing students with 3.25 CGPA; FAFSA required | 1 February |
| Art History Scholarship | Departmental | Varies; verify at cau.edu | Art history majors with 3.0 GPA | 15 April (first-year); 1 May (continuing) |
| Sibling Discount | Institutional discount | Up to 33% of annual tuition | Dependent siblings enrolled concurrently | 1 July |
| Student Freedom Agreement | Income-share funding | Varies by cost of attendance | Rising juniors and seniors in approved STEM majors | Verify at studentfreedominitiative.org |
Planning note: Indian graduate applicants cannot access Georgia HOPE, GTEG or the Student Access Loan since these are Georgia-residency programmes; the most realistic funding routes are the CAU graduate assistantship (case-by-case, department-level) and the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship applied for through USIEF in India.
Read More: Clark Atlanta University Scholarships Guide
Clark Atlanta University Rankings 2027
Clark Atlanta University’s strongest ranking is #16 among Historically Black Colleges in the US News Best Colleges 2026 edition, complemented by a top-tier Social Mobility placement.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| US News Best HBCUs | 2026: #16 | 2025: NA | 2024: NA |
| US News National Universities | 2026: #329 | 2025: NA | 2024: NA |
| US News Top Performers on Social Mobility | 2026: #52 | 2025: NA | 2024: NA |
| QS World University Rankings | Not ranked in QS 2027 | NA | NA |
| Times Higher Education World | Not ranked in THE 2026 | NA | NA |
[Source: US News Best Colleges 2026]
As per US News Best Colleges 2026, Clark Atlanta University also sits inside the Top 10 nationally on Black Student Enrollment, reinforcing its HBCU flagship positioning even though it does not appear in the QS World or THE World tables.
Key insight: For Indian applicants weighing visa credibility, the US News Best HBCUs rank at #16 is more meaningful than the National Universities rank at #329, since HBCU recognition drives employer familiarity in the Southeast US corridor where CAU alumni concentrate.
Read More: Clark Atlanta University Rankings Analysis
Clark Atlanta University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Clark Atlanta University career outcomes lean on the Southeast US corporate corridor around Atlanta, with employers active in consulting, technology, financial services and public health.
- Median starting salary (BLS market median, US bachelor’s): $65,000 (₹61.42 lakh) — labelled as market median, not disclosed by CAU
- Median post-MBA salary (market median, US HBCU MBA): $70,000 to $85,000 (₹66.15 lakh to ₹80.32 lakh)
- Top hiring sectors: Consulting, technology, financial services, education, non-profit and public health; recruiter list not officially disclosed by CAU
- Career support: Career Services Center runs employer mixers with Atlanta corporate anchors, resume clinics and OPT workshops for F-1 visa holders
- Post-study work: 12-month OPT for non-STEM tracks, 36 months for STEM including MS Computer Science, valid after F-1 completion
Insider note: Indian graduates recruit strongest into Atlanta-based tech and consulting employers because the CAU HBCU brand carries local hiring credibility, while national visibility outside the Southeast US is thinner than at Howard or Spelman.
Clark Atlanta University vs Peer Universities
The peer set below compares Clark Atlanta University against four private HBCU peers on US News 2026 rank and headline PG fee, since QS World rankings do not cover this tier.
| University | US News HBCU 2026 | Avg Annual PG Fee (USD) | Avg Annual PG Fee (₹ lakh) | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Atlanta University | #16 | $33,330 | ₹31.50 lakh | AUC consortium access; GRE waiver across all PG |
| Spelman College | #1 | NA (women-only UG focus) | NA | Top-ranked HBCU but undergraduate-only |
| Howard University | NA (verify) | $36,000 (market median) | ₹34.02 lakh (market median) | Broader R1 research portfolio; law and medicine schools |
| Hampton University | NA (verify) | $26,000 (market median) | ₹24.57 lakh (market median) | Lower fee band; strong nursing and engineering tracks |
| Morehouse College | NA (verify) | NA (men-only UG focus) | NA | Undergraduate-only male HBCU; AUC consortium peer |
Clark Atlanta University stands out on graduate-level access because it is the only AUC consortium member offering a full PG portfolio to co-educational Indian applicants. Its combination of a moderate fee, universal GRE waiver and 12 to 36 months of OPT eligibility narrows the ROI gap against pricier HBCU peers.
Clark Atlanta University is the right pick for Indian students who want a full-service HBCU with a working-professional PG catalogue, an Atlanta location and no test-score bar to cross. The two-year MS or MBA runs a total investment of roughly ₹100 lakh against a $65,000 to $85,000 starting-salary band, delivering an ROI within four to six post-tax years for STEM OPT holders who convert to H-1B or return to India in a senior analytics or product role.
Clark Atlanta University is not the right fit for applicants chasing top-50 US News global research prestige or STEM disciplines outside computer science, biology and chemistry. Those students should consider MS universities in USA like Howard University for a broader research portfolio, or a public flagship like Georgia State for a fee-lighter alternative in the same city.
Clark Atlanta University FAQs
Ques. What English test waivers does Clark Atlanta University accept for Indian applicants?
Ans. Clark Atlanta University waives TOEFL or IELTS only for applicants whose entire schooling was English-medium AND completed in a country where English is the primary language, which almost never applies to Indian students educated in India. US college transfers with grade C or better in College Composition I and II also qualify for the waiver. Indian applicants coming directly from an Indian bachelor’s degree should plan to submit TOEFL, IELTS or an accepted alternative.
Ques. How much is the application fee for Indian students at CAU?
Ans. The application fee is $35 (₹3,308) for undergraduate applicants and $55 (₹5,198) for international graduate applicants. Domestic graduate applicants pay $40. Payment is processed inside the FuturePanther undergraduate portal or the gradapply.cau.edu graduate portal at the point of submission. Fee waivers are limited to Common App need-based cases and are rarely granted for international applicants, so Indian students should budget the full amount.
Ques. Can Indian students work part-time while studying at CAU?
Ans. Yes. F-1 visa holders at Clark Atlanta University can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during term and up to 40 hours per week during official breaks. Off-campus employment requires Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training authorisation through the Office of International Student Services. Most Indian graduate students take on-campus roles as research or teaching assistants or in the Robert W. Woodruff Library and dining services, subject to department availability.
Ques. Does Clark Atlanta University require the GRE or GMAT for graduate admission?
Ans. No. Clark Atlanta University waived GRE and GMAT requirements for every graduate programme effective 16 September 2020, and the waiver remains active for the 2026-27 cycle. The waiver applies to MS, MA, MBA, MSW, MEd and PhD tracks alike. Indian applicants should focus energy on the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation and WES or ECE credential evaluation, since those documents now carry the weight the GRE score used to.
Ques. Which credential evaluation agencies does Clark Atlanta University accept?
Ans. Clark Atlanta University accepts course-by-course evaluations from WES and ECE, both of which are NACES members. Indian applicants must send Class 10, Class 12, bachelor’s degree marksheets and the provisional or final degree certificate directly to the chosen agency. The evaluation typically takes six to eight weeks, so applicants targeting the 1 April 2027 Fall graduate deadline should start the WES process by January 2027 to avoid a last-minute I-20 delay.
Ques. What financial proof does an Indian F-1 visa applicant need for CAU?
Ans. An I-20 is issued only after the University verifies liquid funds covering one full academic year of cost of attendance, roughly $52,000 to $58,000 (₹49.14 to ₹54.81 lakh) for a PG student. Acceptable documents include bank statements from the past six months, a sponsor affidavit of support and an education loan sanction letter. Indian applicants using an SBI, HDFC Credila or Avanse loan should ensure the sanction letter names the University and the total cost of attendance.
Ques. Are Indian PG students eligible for graduate assistantships at CAU?
Ans. Yes, but assistantships are limited and awarded department by department, not through a central application. Available roles include Graduate Research Assistant and Graduate Teaching Assistant, most concentrated in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science and the MBA programme. Indian applicants should email the department chair directly after receiving an offer, attaching a CV and research statement, since assistantships are not listed on the main admissions portal and rarely announced publicly.
Ques. How long is OPT after graduating from Clark Atlanta University?
Ans. Non-STEM graduates receive 12 months of Optional Practical Training. STEM-designated programmes including MS Computer Science, MS Biological Sciences and MS Chemistry qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, bringing the total to 36 months of US work authorisation. Indian graduates use OPT primarily to secure H-1B sponsorship through Atlanta-based tech and consulting employers, with the STEM window offering three cap-lottery attempts.
Clark Atlanta University Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M.B.A 2 years | USD 24,016 /Yr | 55 | TOEFL iBT:- 79, IELTS:- 6.5, PTE:- 58, Duolingo:-110 | ||
M.S Computer Science 2 years | Application Deadline For Spring Intake (1st Nov 2026) | USD 16,020 /Yr | 55 | TOEFL iBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 (no band below 6.0) | |
| USD 26,736 /Yr | 55 | TOEFL iBT: 69 | IELTS: 6.0 |
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Clark Atlanta University Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student$5,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BL Mandhana Scholarships | Scholarship per student$10,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Business Administration Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Novus Biological Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$1,500 | Level Of StudyAssociate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Washington DC Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
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Clark Atlanta University Admissions
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Clark Atlanta University Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3824 | 2284 | 1540 | - |
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You must complete a 4-year bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited university. A GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required to be eligible for the program. You must hold a superior academic record and a minimum of two years of work experience. You need to apply at CAU online application portal. For more information, you can check here.