Head-to-head · 2026
Atlanta Metropolitan State College vs Clayton State University
Compare average net price ($5,258 at Atlanta Metropolitan State College; $8,365 at Clayton State University), ROI score (15.81 vs 14.70), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($33,252 vs $49,179), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Atlanta Metropolitan State College; 68.5% at Clayton State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Atlanta Metropolitan State College | Clayton State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.81 ✓ | 14.70 |
| Avg net price | $5,258 ✓ | $8,365 |
| 4-year avg net price | $21,032 ✓ | $33,460 |
| In-state tuition | $3,248 | $5,180 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,400 | $16,532 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $33,252 | $49,179 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 68.5% |
| Graduation rate | 17.4% | 39.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 44.8% | 70.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $14,123 ✓ | $25,706 |
| Enrollment | 1,228 | 4,348 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 958 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Atlanta Metropolitan State College | Clayton State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,288 ✓ | $7,405 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,184 ✓ | $7,032 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,387 ✓ | $9,755 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,270 ✓ | $12,095 |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,740 ✓ | $14,161 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Atlanta Metropolitan State College | Clayton State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 45.2% | 9.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.1% | 23.6% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 32.3% | 1.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.2% | 2.8% |
| Biology, General | 2.6% | 3.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Atlanta Metropolitan State College reports the lower average net price by $3,107 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $12,428 difference over four years ($21,032 vs $33,460).
Clayton State University reports $15,927 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,179 vs $33,252). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 44.8% at Atlanta Metropolitan State College and 70.9% at Clayton State University. Median federal debt among completers is $14,123 vs $25,706, respectively.
5 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Atlanta Metropolitan State College vs Clayton State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Atlanta Metropolitan State College is cheaper — average net price $5,258 per year vs $8,365 at Clayton State University. The annual difference of $3,107 adds up to about $12,428 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Clayton State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,179 vs $33,252 at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. The gap in the federal data is $15,927. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.