Clayton State University vs. KSU

Deciding between Clayton State University and Kennesaw State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Clayton  State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Clayton State University Morrow, GA
  • KSU Kennesaw, GA
  • Setting
  • Clayton State University Large Suburban
  • KSU Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Clayton State University 6,163
  • KSU 47,764
  • Type
  • Clayton State University Public 4 Year
  • KSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Clayton State University #1004
  • KSU
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Clayton State University -
  • KSU -
  • Status
  • Clayton State University Non-profit
  • KSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Clayton State University
  • KSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Clayton State University $5,180
  • KSU $5,808
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Clayton State University $16,532
  • KSU $17,736
  • Room & Board
  • Clayton State University $12,226
  • KSU $13,287
  • Average Net Price
  • Clayton State University $8,192
  • KSU $15,636
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Clayton State University $9,444
  • KSU $8,223
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Clayton State University 92%
  • KSU 92%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Clayton State University 1,870
  • KSU 34,680
  • Admitted
  • Clayton State University 1,280
  • KSU 23,995
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Clayton State University 68.4%
  • KSU 69.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Clayton State University 40.5%
  • KSU 38%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clayton State University 970
  • KSU 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clayton State University 17
  • KSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Clayton State University 3.0
  • KSU 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Clayton State University B
  • KSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Clayton State University Extremely Easy
  • KSU Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Clayton State University Low
  • KSU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Clayton State University 15/19
  • KSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • Clayton State University 860/1078
  • KSU 1000/1220
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Clayton State University Test optional
  • KSU Required
  • Application Deadline
  • Clayton State University Jul 17, 2027
  • KSU Jun 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Clayton State University 20:1
  • KSU 23:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Clayton State University
    • Health Professions (23%)
    • Business (20%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • KSU
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Clayton State University 27%
  • KSU -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Clayton State University $41,800
  • KSU N/A
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Clayton State University 35%
  • KSU 53%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Clayton State University $27,500
  • KSU $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Clayton State University $284
  • KSU $219
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Clayton State University 31%
  • KSU 49%
  • % Women
  • Clayton State University 69%
  • KSU 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Clayton State University Medium
  • KSU High
  • HBCU
  • Clayton State University No
  • KSU No
  • % White
  • Clayton State University 18%
  • KSU 58%
  • % Asian
  • Clayton State University 5%
  • KSU 4%
  • % Black
  • Clayton State University 66%
  • KSU 20%
  • % Hispanic
  • Clayton State University 3%
  • KSU 9%
  • % Native American
  • Clayton State University 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Clayton State University 0%
  • KSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Clayton State University 3%
  • KSU 4%
  • % International
  • Clayton State University 1%
  • KSU 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Clayton State University 4%
  • KSU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Clayton State University 94%
  • KSU 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Clayton State University 3%
  • KSU 1%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Clayton State University Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Clayton State University No
  • KSU
  • Meal Plan
  • Clayton State University Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Clayton State University Yes
  • KSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Clayton State University No
  • KSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Clayton State University in Morrow, GA with Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kennesaw State University is larger than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (47,764 students vs. 6,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clayton State University is located in Morrow, GA (Large Suburban setting); Kennesaw State University is in Kennesaw, GA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Clayton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kennesaw State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clayton State University 20:1; Kennesaw State University 23:1.

Clayton State University vs. KSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or KSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than KSU ($8,192 vs. $15,636).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clayton State University are 8% lower than at Kennesaw State University ($12,226 vs. $13,287).
  • Kennesaw State University is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clayton State University (about $628 more per year; $5,808.00 vs. $5,180.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at KSU than at Clayton State University (about $1,204 more per year; $17,736.00 vs. $16,532.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Clayton State University as at Kennesaw State University (92% vs. 92%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clayton State University students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Kennesaw State University students ($9,444 vs. $8,223).

Clayton State University vs. KSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State University or KSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between KSU and Clayton State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kennesaw State University (1110) is 140 points higher than at Clayton State University (970).
  • Incoming KSU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Clayton State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 860/1078; Kennesaw State University 1000/1220.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 15/19; Kennesaw State University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clayton State University - Test optional; KSU - Required.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clayton State University Jul 17, 2027; KSU Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman KSU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at Clayton State University (3.0).
  • KSU has a higher acceptance rate (69.2%) than Clayton State University (68.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at Clayton State University vs. 38% at KSU.

Clayton State University vs. KSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clayton State University and KSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kennesaw State University graduates have a $6,300 lower median loan debt than Clayton State University graduates ($21,200 vs. $27,500).
  • Among borrowers, KSU graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clayton State University graduates ($219 vs. $284).
  • More KSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.