Clayton State University vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Clayton State University in Morrow, GA with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 6,163 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clayton State University is located in Morrow, GA (Large Suburban setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Clayton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clayton State University 20:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clayton State University are 2.8% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,226 vs. $12,582).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.3% higher at WKU than at Clayton State University (about $10,468 more per year; $27,000 vs. $16,532).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Clayton State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 15.6% larger than aid received by Clayton State University students ($10,921 vs. $9,444).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at WKU than at Clayton State University (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Clayton State University and WKU.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clayton State University Jul 17, 2027; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at WKU average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.42 higher than at Clayton State University (3.0).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at Clayton State University vs. 30.2% at WKU.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Kentucky University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Clayton State University graduates ($24,250 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, WKU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clayton State University graduates ($250 vs. $284).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation (47% vs. 35%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.