Clayton State University
#4 Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia- Graduation Rate
- 38% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,179 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $8,365 B+
- 51% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 68% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 36.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $36.0 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia.
Every $1 spent returns $36.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,170,563.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 21% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 38% — 34% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $36.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Clayton State University Matters
Clayton State University is a public university in Morrow, GA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,348
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Psychology
Why students choose Clayton State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 68% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 860–1078. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $8,365 a year after grants and scholarships — 51% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,179 ten years after enrolling — 21% above the typical college, against $25,706 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 46% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.06 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Clayton State University serves over 4,300 students and has an acceptance rate of 68%. This makes it accessible for many prospective students looking to further their education in a supportive environment. The university is particularly known for strong programs in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Computer Science.
Graduates from Clayton State earn a median salary of $49,179 ten years after enrolling. While the graduation rate stands at 38%, the data indicates that students from lower-income backgrounds can find pathways to success. However, specific mobility metrics are not available, making it harder to assess long-term outcomes for all students.
The net price for attending Clayton State is $8,365, which is relatively affordable compared to many institutions. Graduates face a median debt of $25,706, which is manageable for their earning potential. Students who thrive here often seek practical degrees in health and business fields, aiming for careers that directly impact their communities.
Rankings
- #4 Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia
- #8 Best Computer Science Colleges in Georgia
- #8 Best Data Science Colleges in Georgia
- #9 Best Psychology Colleges in Georgia
- #10 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Georgia
- #12 Best Online Education Programs in Georgia
- #12 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Georgia
- #13 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia
Can I Get In?
How selective Clayton State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Clayton State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 958. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 68%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- SAT Average
- 958
- SAT Range
- 860–1078
- ACT Range
- 15–19
- Full-Time Faculty
- 69%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,662
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
- Applicants
- 2,255
- Admitted
- 1,270
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Clayton State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Clayton State University is $16,532, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,365. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,405 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,706 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,180
- Out-of-State
- $16,532
- Avg Net Price
- $8,365
- Median Debt
- $25,706
- Pell Grant Rate
- 52%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 38%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,405
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,032
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,755
- Family Income $110K+
- $14,161
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Clayton State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Clayton State University earn a median of $49,179, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,633
- 8 Years
- $45,852
- 10 Years
- $49,179
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.52x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (48)
- 12%
- 100% (48)
- 12%
- 100% (48)
- 12%
- 100% (48)
- 12%
How Clayton Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Clayton State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Clayton State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $8,365/year ($33,460 total). Graduates earn $49,179 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,204,023 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,170,563 (36.0× your investment). The median debt is $25,706, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 38% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $33,460
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,204,023
- Net Return
- $1,170,563
- ROI Multiple
- 36.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $8,365
- Median Debt
- $25,706
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Clayton State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Clayton State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.54%, well above the typical college. About 9.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.54%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $77,600
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,305,255
- Investment Income
- $-2,450
Top Programs
The fields Clayton State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 21%
- Business & Marketing 19%
- Humanities 13%
- Psychology 12%
- Computer Science & IT 10%
- Legal Studies 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Education 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Clayton State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Clayton State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 958. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Clayton State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Clayton State University is $16,532, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,365. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,405 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,706 in federal student loans.
Is Clayton State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Clayton State University earn a median of $49,179, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Clayton State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Clayton State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.54%, well above the typical college. About 9.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Clayton State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Clayton State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.06, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Clayton State University.
- University of Michigan-FlintFlint, MI · Close peer42% grad $53,230 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC · Close peer43% grad $48,587 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana University-South BendSouth Bend, IN · Close peer38% grad $44,947 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indiana University-EastRichmond, IN · Close peer42% grad $47,156 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Valdosta State UniversityValdosta, GA · Close peer42% grad $49,361 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana University-SoutheastNew Albany, IN · Close peer36% grad $47,596 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Clayton State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Clayton State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.06, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note