Students at Clark Atlanta University achieve earnings that significantly exceed what would be expected based on their backgrounds, reflecting the institution's ability to add meaningful value through mentorship and support systems.
The university provides crucial educational access for underrepresented students while maintaining strong loan repayment discipline among graduates.
Clark Atlanta University is a private historically Black university in Georgia that serves a predominantly low-income student population, with 69% of students receiving Pell Grants and about 32% being first-generation college students. While the institution provides important access and cultural benefits as an HBCU, its financial outcomes present challenges that prospective families should understand clearly.
Graduates earn a median of $42,712 ten years after enrollment, which places the university in the bottom 10% nationally for long-term earnings among four-year institutions. However, Clark Atlanta does show a significant earnings advantage compared with what would be expected for similar students at other institutions, with graduates earning about $21,575 more than predicted based on their backgrounds and characteristics.
The university's role as an HBCU provides distinctive value through cultural affirmation, mentorship networks, and community connections that extend beyond purely financial metrics. For students who prioritize these benefits and understand the financial trade-offs, Clark Atlanta offers an important educational pathway. The institution's location in Atlanta provides access to internships and career opportunities in a major metropolitan area, though graduates typically need time to build their earning potential after college.
Clark Atlanta University's program portfolio reflects its liberal arts foundation with professional program concentrations that provide varying levels of financial return. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program and strongest financial performer, graduating 147 students annually with median earnings of $40,068. This program represents the university's most reliable pathway to solid early-career earnings and demonstrates the value of professional preparation in business fields.
The university's other major programs show more modest financial outcomes but serve important educational and career preparation functions. Biology graduates 53 students with earnings around $25,405, often serving as preparation for graduate school in health fields or research careers. Psychology, with 73 graduates earning about $23,166, reflects the university's strength in social sciences and human services preparation.
As an HBCU, Clark Atlanta's programs benefit from strong alumni networks and mentorship opportunities that extend beyond immediate earnings outcomes. The business program in particular leverages Atlanta's corporate environment for internships and job placement, while the liberal arts programs provide foundation skills that support long-term career development. Students should focus on programs with clear professional pathways and take advantage of the university's location in a major metropolitan market for internship and networking opportunities.
Clark Atlanta University graduates face modest early-career earnings that require careful financial planning. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $42,712, which places the institution in the bottom 10% nationally for long-term earnings. However, the university demonstrates a meaningful earnings advantage when compared with similar students at other institutions, with graduates earning approximately $21,575 more than would be expected based on their academic and demographic profiles.
The university's program mix reflects its liberal arts and professional focus. Business Administration and Management is the strongest performer both in terms of enrollment and aggregate return, graduating 147 students with median earnings of $40,068. Biology graduates 53 students annually with earnings around $25,405, while Psychology, with 73 graduates, shows more modest outcomes at $23,166. The earnings patterns suggest that business-focused programs provide the strongest financial foundation, though all programs generally produce earnings below national averages for their fields.
As an HBCU located in Atlanta, Clark Atlanta provides access to internship and networking opportunities in a major metropolitan market. The earnings beyond expectations suggest that the university's support systems, mentorship networks, and alumni connections help students achieve better outcomes than their backgrounds might predict, even if absolute earnings levels remain modest compared with national benchmarks.
Clark Atlanta University presents affordability challenges that require careful family financial planning. Net prices are substantial across all income levels: low-income students pay about $33,555 annually, middle-income families face costs around $37,249, and higher-income families pay approximately $39,940. These prices place the university in the bottom 5% nationally for affordability, making it more expensive than most public and many private institutions.
The high net prices translate into significant borrowing requirements for most families. Typical graduates leave with about $27,000 in federal student loan debt, while families often supplement with Parent PLUS loans averaging $44,369. The combination of substantial debt levels and modest post-graduation earnings creates repayment challenges that families should model carefully before enrollment.
Despite these cost pressures, the university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that graduates generally manage to stay current on their obligations. However, loan repayment data shows that borrowers make slow progress paying down balances in the early years after graduation, with most still carrying substantial debt loads several years out. Families should plan for extended repayment periods and consider income-driven repayment options to manage monthly payment obligations.
Clark Atlanta University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
