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Clayton State University
Clayton State University says yes to 68.5% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $49,179 median earnings.
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Clayton State University occupies suburban Morrow, GA — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $96,160 four years out. 52.2% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. Most of its 4,348 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 70.9% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 868 and 1070 — below the GA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Clayton State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Clayton State University received 1,782 applications and admitted 1,258 (70.6%), with 504 enrolling.
Clayton State University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 868–1070 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Clayton State University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 450 | 500 | 550 |
| SAT Math | 418 | 470 | 520 |
| ACT Composite | 16 | 18 | 20 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Clayton State University compares
| Clayton State University | Georgia median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 68.5% | 73.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $5,180 | $13,920 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $49,179 | $47,290 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Clayton State University: $49,179 median at year ten, versus $47,290 across Georgia institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $5,180 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $16,532. For non-residents, Clayton State University's $16,532 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 4,348 undergrads, Clayton State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
Fewer than half of Clayton State University students — 39.9% — finish within six years. That number should shape how much debt feels safe.
Top majors by earnings at Clayton State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $96,160 |
| Computer Science | $94,876 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $67,899 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $63,862 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $63,402 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $58,740 |
| Biology, General | $57,400 |
| Political Science and Government | $55,643 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $53,042 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $50,131 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $50,110 |
| Legal Support Services | $49,897 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,627 |
| History | $42,146 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $42,032 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $40,300 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $40,140 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $36,510 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,053 |
Median earnings for these 19 Clayton State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $49,179 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 14 additional Clayton State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Clayton State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 868–1070 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 68.5% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Clayton State University's acceptance rate?
70.6% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 1,258 admitted from 1,782 applicants.
How much does Clayton State University cost?
In-state tuition is $5,180; out-of-state students pay $16,532. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Clayton State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $49,179 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Georgia
- Berry College — 64% admitted
- Emmanuel University — 74% admitted
- Clark Atlanta University — 64.2% admitted
- Fort Valley State University — 65.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.