Head-to-head · 2026
Clayton State University vs Georgia Southwestern State University
Compare average net price ($8,365 at Clayton State University; $12,019 at Georgia Southwestern State University), ROI score (14.70 vs 10.14), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,179 vs $48,757), and admissions selectivity (68.5% acceptance at Clayton State University; 75.2% at Georgia Southwestern 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 | Clayton State University | Georgia Southwestern State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.70 ✓ | 10.14 |
| Avg net price | $8,365 ✓ | $12,019 |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,460 ✓ | $48,076 |
| In-state tuition | $5,180 | $5,220 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $16,532 | $16,572 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,179 ✓ | $48,757 |
| Acceptance rate | 68.5% | 75.2% |
| Graduation rate | 39.9% | 40.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 70.9% ✓ | 57.6% |
| Median debt | $25,706 | $18,851 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,348 | 2,424 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 958 | 978 |
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 | Georgia Southwestern State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,405 ✓ | $10,477 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,032 ✓ | $10,935 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,755 ✓ | $13,508 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,095 ✓ | $16,373 |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,161 ✓ | $15,415 |
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 | Georgia Southwestern State University |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.8% | 36.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 23.6% | 12.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7.1% | 11.6% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 9.7% | 0.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.6% | 5.7% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 4.7% | 1.6% |
| Marketing | 2.2% | 2.5% |
| Computer Science | 1.3% | 3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Clayton State University reports the lower average net price by $3,654 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,616 difference over four years ($33,460 vs $48,076).
Clayton State University reports $422 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,179 vs $48,757). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.9% at Clayton State University and 57.6% at Georgia Southwestern State University. Median federal debt among completers is $25,706 vs $18,851, 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 Georgia Southwestern State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Clayton State University is cheaper — average net price $8,365 per year vs $12,019 at Georgia Southwestern State University. The annual difference of $3,654 adds up to about $14,616 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Clayton State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,179 vs $48,757 at Georgia Southwestern State University. The gap in the federal data is $422. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Clayton State University is more selective at 68.5% acceptance vs 75.2% at Georgia Southwestern State University.
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.