Clark Atlanta University Tuition: What Atlanta Students Really Pay

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia and are considering Clark Atlanta University (CAU), one of the first questions you’ll ask is: “How much is Clark Atlanta tuition?” Understanding the full cost is key to planning your budget, financial aid, and even housing and transportation inside the city.

Below is a clear breakdown of tuition and typical costs, how they work for Atlanta residents vs. out-of-state students, and what to expect once you’re on or near CAU’s historic campus on James P. Brawley Drive.

How Clark Atlanta Tuition Is Structured

Clark Atlanta University is a private, historically Black university (HBCU) located just west of Downtown in the Atlanta University Center (AUC). Because it’s private, tuition is the same for Georgia residents and out-of-state students—there’s no special “in-state” discount the way you’d see at public schools like Georgia State or Georgia Tech.

For most full-time undergraduate students, the cost structure typically includes:

• Base tuition (charged per semester or per year)
• Mandatory fees (student activities, technology, labs, etc.)
• Housing and meal plan (if you live on campus)
• Books and supplies
• Transportation and personal expenses (especially relevant in a city like Atlanta)

Typical Tuition and Fees at Clark Atlanta

While exact numbers change, CAU’s tuition is generally in the range of many private universities in major cities.

Here’s a simplified view of how the main academic charges are typically organized for a full-time undergraduate:

For graduate programs, tuition is often charged per credit hour, and total costs vary by program (MBA, MSW, education, etc.). Atlanta professionals who work downtown or in Midtown often choose CAU grad programs because the campus is a short drive or MARTA ride away.

Housing and Meal Plan Costs in Atlanta

If you’re from metro Atlanta, you’ll need to decide whether to:

• Live on campus in a CAU residence hall, or
• Commute from home or rent an apartment elsewhere in the city.

Because Clark Atlanta sits near Vine City, West End, and Downtown Atlanta, off-campus rent can vary a lot depending on neighborhood and roommate situation.

On-Campus Housing

Students who live in CAU residence halls typically pay:

• Housing charges (per semester or per year)
• A required meal plan (especially for freshmen and many sophomores)

Living on campus can simplify life if you’re new to living in the city, since you’re within walking distance of:

• Class buildings across the AUC
• Robert W. Woodruff Library
• Food spots along Joseph E. Lowery Blvd SW and MLK Jr. Drive

Off-Campus Housing in Atlanta

If you’re from Atlanta or comfortable with city living, you might consider:

• Apartments in West End, Castleberry Hill, or along the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail
• Sharing a place with other CAU, Spelman, or Morehouse students

In that case, your cost of attendance for financial aid purposes would still include an estimated housing and food budget, but you’d be paying rent to a landlord, not to CAU.

Other Costs Atlanta Students Should Expect

Beyond tuition and housing, students at Clark Atlanta typically budget for:

• Books and supplies – textbooks, lab materials, software
• Transportation –
  • MARTA fare if you commute via train or bus
  • Gas and parking if you drive (parking on or near campus can carry separate fees)
• Personal expenses – clothing, laundry, phone bill, entertainment
• Atlanta-city living costs – grabbing food off-campus, events, concerts, etc.

Being in a major city means there are more opportunities (internships, networking, events) but also more temptations to overspend, especially around Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.

How Financial Aid Works for Clark Atlanta Students in Atlanta

Most CAU students use some combination of:

• Federal financial aid (Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study)
• Georgia state aid (for eligible Georgia residents)
• Clark Atlanta scholarships and grants
• Outside scholarships from Atlanta nonprofits, churches, or companies

Federal Aid

To see what you qualify for, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This is standard for any U.S. college, including CAU.

Georgia Aid (HOPE, Zell Miller, etc.)

If you’re a Georgia resident attending Clark Atlanta, you may be eligible for:

• HOPE Scholarship
• Zell Miller Scholarship (for students with higher academic performance)

These can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket tuition, even at a private school, if you meet the requirements.

CAU Scholarships and Grants

Clark Atlanta often offers:

• Merit-based awards (based on grades/test scores)
• Need-based institutional grants
• Scholarships tied to departments, honors programs, or majors

Living in Atlanta can also give you access to local scholarships through:

• Community organizations
• Atlanta-based corporations
• Local foundations and churches

Estimating Your Total Cost of Attendance in Atlanta

When Clark Atlanta talks about “cost of attendance,” it usually includes:

1. Direct costs (paid to CAU)

   • Tuition
   • Mandatory fees
   • On-campus housing and meal plan (if applicable)

2. Indirect costs (still real, but paid to others)

   • Off-campus rent and groceries (if not on campus)
   • Transportation (MARTA, gas, rideshares)
   • Books and school supplies
   • Personal and miscellaneous expenses

For someone living at home in metro Atlanta, that might mean lower housing costs, but you’ll want to factor in commute time, MARTA schedules, and parking.

Where to Get Official Clark Atlanta Tuition Information in Atlanta

Because tuition and fee amounts can change, the most reliable way to know exactly how much Clark Atlanta tuition is right now is to contact the university directly.

Key on-campus offices in Atlanta include:

Office of Student Accounts (Billing & Payments)

This office can provide:

• Current tuition and fee schedules
• Billing deadlines
• Payment plan options

Location:
Clark Atlanta University – Office of Student Accounts
223 James P. Brawley Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30314

Phone numbers and office hours are typically listed on CAU’s official site or main directory.

Office of Financial Aid

This is your go-to for:

• Help estimating your net cost after aid
• Understanding federal, state, and CAU-based financial aid
• Clarifying how HOPE or Zell Miller might apply if you’re a Georgia resident

Location:
Clark Atlanta University – Office of Financial Aid
223 James P. Brawley Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30314

You can usually walk over if you’re on campus, or call/email if you’re elsewhere in the Atlanta area.

Practical Tips for Atlanta-Based Clark Atlanta Students

Here are a few locally focused ways to manage and understand the cost of CAU:

• Compare commuting vs. campus housing.
  If you already live in metro Atlanta, get real numbers for:

  • On-campus housing and meal plans
  • Versus staying at home and paying for MARTA or gas/parking
    Sometimes the convenience and safety of living on campus near your classes, the library, and AUC resources can be worth the higher housing cost.

• Use MARTA strategically.
  The Ashby and Vine City MARTA stations are relatively close to the AUC area, and buses run along streets like Joseph E. Lowery Blvd and MLK Jr. Drive. Factoring MARTA passes into your budget can reduce the need for a car.

• Look for Atlanta-based scholarships.
  Many Atlanta companies, churches, and civic groups offer scholarships specifically to city or metro-area students, including those attending HBCUs like Clark Atlanta.

• Ask for a personalized cost estimate.
  CAU’s financial aid and student accounts offices can often help you build a custom estimate that reflects:

  • Whether you live on or off campus
  • Your expected financial aid
  • Your likely transportation and living costs in Atlanta

Key Takeaways for “How Much Is Clark Atlanta Tuition?” in Atlanta

• Clark Atlanta University is a private HBCU in Atlanta, so tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
• Your real cost depends on:
  • Tuition and mandatory fees
  • Housing (on campus vs. Atlanta-area housing or living at home)
  • Books, transportation, and personal expenses in a major city
  • How much financial aid and scholarships you receive
• To know exact current tuition, Atlanta students should contact:
  • Office of Student Accounts for tuition and billing
  • Office of Financial Aid for a full cost and aid picture

If you live in or near Atlanta, visiting the campus and these offices in person can help you get a clear, Atlanta-specific picture of what attending Clark Atlanta University will really cost you.