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VSU University of Phoenix-Lafayette University of West Georgia Columbus State Fort Valley State University Savannah State University Georgia State Albany State University Purdue Global-Davenport Campus KSU University of Phoenix-Louisiana Campus GCU| Clayton State University | Columbia Southern University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Clayton State University | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Location | Morrow, GA | Orange Beach, AL | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Distant Rural | ||
| Enrollment | 5,847 | 15,948 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #988 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | For-profit | ||
| Website | clayton.edu | columbiasouthern.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Clayton State University | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $4,064 | $5,880 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $14,786 | $5,880 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,980 | $8,136 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $9,792 | $12,366 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,529 | $4,154 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 42% |
Admission |
Clayton State University | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,255 | - | ||
| Admitted | 1,270 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 56.3% | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 45.6% | Open | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.0 | - | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | - | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 16/22 | |||
| SAT Range | 890/1090 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Jul 17, 2025 |
Academics |
Clayton State University | Columbia Southern University | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 28:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Clayton State University | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Graduation Rate | 27% | 22% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $41,800 | N/A | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 35% | 46% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,500 | $16,404 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $284 | $169 |
Diversity |
Clayton State University | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 31% | 62% | ||
| % Women | 69% | 38% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 18% | 58% | ||
| % Black | 66% | 23% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 7% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 7% |
Students |
Clayton State University | Columbia Southern University | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 93% | 8% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 4% | 90% | ||
Campus |
Clayton State University | Columbia Southern University | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | No | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | No | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Columbia Southern University is larger than than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (15,948 students vs. 5,847 students)
Clayton State University vs. Columbia Southern University Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or Columbia Southern University?
- Columbia Southern University is 44.7% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($5,880.00 vs. $4,064.00)
- Out of state tuition is 151.5% higher at Clayton State University than Columbia Southern University ($14,786.00 vs. $5,880.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than Columbia Southern University ($9,792 vs. $12,366)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Southern University are 35% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($8,136 vs. $10,980)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Clayton State University than Columbia Southern University (99% vs. 42%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Clayton State University students is 105.3% larger than aid received Columbia Southern University ($8,529 vs. $4,154)
Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State University or Columbia Southern University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Columbia Southern University or Clayton State University .
Clayton State University vs. Columbia Southern University Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Clayton State University or Columbia Southern University? 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 Southern University and Clayton State University.
- The graduation rate at Clayton State University is higher than Columbia Southern University (27% vs. 22%)
- Columbia Southern University students graduate with a $11,096 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($16,404 vs. $27,500)
- Columbia Southern University graduates are paying $115 less per month on federal student loans than Clayton State University graduates. ($169 vs. $284)
- More Columbia Southern University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 35%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/