Head-to-head · 2026
Clayton State University vs Dalton State College
Compare average net price ($8,365 at Clayton State University; $5,012 at Dalton State College), ROI score (14.70 vs 20.08), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,179 vs $40,251), and admissions context (68.5% at Clayton State University; Open / not reported at Dalton State College) 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 | Clayton State University | Dalton State College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.70 | 20.08 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $8,365 | $5,012 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,460 | $20,048 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,180 | $3,336 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $16,532 | $10,656 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,179 ✓ | $40,251 |
| Acceptance rate | 68.5% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 39.9% ✓ | 25.3% |
| Retention rate | 70.9% | 70.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $25,706 | $12,937 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,348 | 4,553 |
| 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 | Clayton State University | Dalton State College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,405 | $3,962 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,032 | $3,788 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,755 | $6,042 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,095 | $8,114 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,161 | $10,055 ✓ |
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 | Clayton State University | Dalton State College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 23.6% | 11.5% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 9.7% | 15% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7.1% | 11.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.8% | 12.3% |
| Biology, General | 3.2% | 7.8% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 7.8% | 1.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.8% | 5.8% |
| Marketing | 2.2% | 3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Dalton State College reports the lower average net price by $3,353 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $13,412 difference over four years ($20,048 vs $33,460).
Clayton State University reports $8,928 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,179 vs $40,251). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.9% at Clayton State University and 70.9% at Dalton State College. Median federal debt among completers is $25,706 vs $12,937, respectively.
8 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
Clayton State University vs Dalton State College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Dalton State College is cheaper — average net price $5,012 per year vs $8,365 at Clayton State University. The annual difference of $3,353 adds up to about $13,412 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Clayton State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,179 vs $40,251 at Dalton State College. The gap in the federal data is $8,928. 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.