Clayton State University vs. Columbia Southern University

Should I go to Clayton State University or Columbia Southern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clayton State University or Columbia Southern University 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 Southern University comparison
Clayton State University Columbia Southern University College 3 College 4
Clayton  State University
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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
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 28:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (35%)
  • Business (32%)
  • Engineering Technology (17%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (4%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

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/