Clayton State University vs. Columbia College

Should I go to Clayton State University or Columbia College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clayton State University or Columbia College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Clayton State University vs. Columbia College comparison
Clayton State University Columbia College College 3 College 4
Clayton  State University
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Overview

Clayton State University Columbia College
Location Morrow, GA Columbia, SC
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 5,847 1,514
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #988 #913
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu columbiasc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clayton State University Columbia College
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $21,250
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $21,250
Room & Board $10,980 $8,400
Avg Net Price $9,792 $18,779
Avg Grant Aid $8,529 $16,089
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 97%

Admission

Clayton State University Columbia College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,255 2,176
Admitted 1,270 2,135
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 98.1%
Enrolled % 45.6% 8.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 3.56
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22 14/18
SAT Range 890/1090 850/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 17, 2025

Academics

Clayton State University Columbia College
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Clayton State University Columbia College
Graduation Rate 27% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $34,700
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $25,264
Median Loan Payment $284 $261

Diversity

Clayton State University Columbia College
% Men 31% 15%
% Women 69% 85%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 18% 55%
% Black 66% 34%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Clayton State University Columbia College
% In-State 93% 76%
% Out-of-State 4% 22%

Campus

Clayton State University Columbia College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Clayton State University is larger than than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (5,847 students vs. 1,514 students)

Clayton State University vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or Columbia College?

  • Columbia College is 422.9% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($21,250.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 43.7% higher at Columbia College than Clayton State University ($21,250.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than Columbia College ($9,792 vs. $18,779)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia College are 30.7% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($8,400 vs. $10,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clayton State University than Columbia College (99% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 88.6% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($16,089 vs. $8,529)

Clayton State University vs. Columbia College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State University or Columbia College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia College or Clayton State University .

  • Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Clayton State University (3.0)
  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Clayton State University (56.3%)

Clayton State University vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clayton State University or Columbia College? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Columbia College and Clayton State University.

  • The graduation rate at Columbia College is higher than Clayton State University (50% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn on average $7,100 more per year than Columbia College graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $34,700)
  • Columbia College students graduate with a $2,236 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($25,264 vs. $27,500)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Clayton State University graduates. ($261 vs. $284)
  • More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/