If you live in Atlanta or are looking at colleges here, you may be wondering: Is Clark Atlanta University a Division I school?
No. Clark Atlanta University (CAU) is not an NCAA Division I school.
Clark Atlanta competes in NCAA Division II athletics.
That said, CAU still has a rich sports culture, strong local rivalries, and a visible presence in Atlanta’s college sports scene—especially as part of the Atlanta University Center (AUC) community.
Below is a clear breakdown of what that means for students, families, and sports fans in Atlanta.
Clark Atlanta University is an NCAA Division II institution.
Division II schools like CAU balance competitive athletics with a strong emphasis on academics and campus life, often with a slightly smaller athletic budget and scale than Division I programs.
If you live in Atlanta, you’re surrounded by a mix of Division I and Division II schools. Understanding the difference can help you decide what kind of sports environment you’re looking for.
Division I (D1) schools tend to have:
Division II (D2) schools, like CAU, typically offer:
For many Atlanta families, Division II can feel like a good “middle ground”—competitive athletics in a less overwhelming, more community-centered setting.
Metro Atlanta has several well-known NCAA programs. Here’s a simple comparison to put Clark Atlanta in context:
| School | Location (Atlanta Area) | NCAA Division | Notable Conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Atlanta University | Westside, AUC, Atlanta | Division II | SIAC (HBCU conference) |
| Georgia State University | Downtown Atlanta | Division I | Sun Belt Conference |
| Georgia Tech | Midtown Atlanta | Division I | Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) |
| Morehouse College | Adjacent to CAU (AUC) | Division II | SIAC |
| Spelman College (no football) | Adjacent to CAU (AUC) | Competes in selected sports/club | Various/club levels |
If you’re in Atlanta and want the big Division I stadium feel, you’re probably thinking of Georgia Tech or Georgia State. If you’re more interested in HBCU culture, community, and tradition, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, and Spelman may be your focus, regardless of division.
Even though CAU is Division II, it participates in one of the most tradition-rich HBCU athletic conferences in the country: the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
The SIAC is a Division II conference made up primarily of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, many of which are in the Southeast. For an Atlanta resident, that means:
If you’ve ever been around the Atlanta University Center during football season, you’ve probably seen or heard the CAU Panthers marching band and game-day festivities tied to this conference.
While offerings can change over time, Clark Atlanta University typically supports multiple men’s and women’s sports teams that compete at the Division II level.
Commonly offered sports include:
Men’s teams (examples):
Women’s teams (examples):
If you are considering playing a sport at CAU, it’s best to check directly with the Clark Atlanta Athletics Department for the most up-to-date list of teams and opportunities.
If you or your student is choosing between Division I and Division II, especially in the Atlanta area, here are some practical reasons people consider a school like Clark Atlanta:
CAU is part of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), along with Morehouse College and Spelman College. That means:
For many Atlanta families, this community identity matters as much as the athletic division.
Division II schools often emphasize:
If you’re an Atlanta student who wants to compete seriously in college sports but still have time for internships, jobs, and city life, a Division II environment can be attractive.
Being at CAU places you:
This proximity can matter for:
The athletic division doesn’t change the fact that CAU students are studying and competing in a major urban hub.
Even if you’re not a student, CAU games can be a fun, affordable way to enjoy live sports in the city.
Expect:
For many Atlantans, homecoming and rivalry games are highlights of the fall.
Most CAU athletic events take place on or near the Clark Atlanta campus, within the AUC area on Atlanta’s Westside. If you’re driving from elsewhere in the city, you’ll be close to:
If you’re planning to attend, it’s smart to:
If you live in Metro Atlanta and want to play college sports while staying close to home, Clark Atlanta can be appealing.
Can I get an athletic scholarship at a Division II school like CAU?
Will I still face strong competition?
Do I need film or club experience to be recruited?
Can I walk on?
For the most accurate guidance, students often reach out to:
You can visit or write to the campus at:
Clark Atlanta University
223 James P. Brawley Dr. SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
Phone numbers and email contacts are typically listed through the university’s main directory or athletics page.
If your main question is about NCAA Division I vs. Division II, here’s how Clark Atlanta fits among nearby schools:
Choose Clark Atlanta (Division II) if you want:
Consider Georgia State (Division I) if you want:
Consider Georgia Tech (Division I) if you want:
For many Atlanta families, the choice is less about “Is it Division I?” and more about campus culture, academic fit, location, and support systems—areas where Clark Atlanta has a distinct identity.
For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding that Clark Atlanta is Division II helps set the right expectations—and can open the door to appreciating a unique and vibrant part of the city’s college sports and cultural landscape.
