Clayton State University vs. CU

Comparable Facts

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

Clayton State University is larger than CU based on total student enrollment (6,163 students vs. 3,457 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clayton State University is located in Morrow, GA (Large Suburban setting); Cumberland University is in Lebanon, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Clayton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cumberland University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clayton State University 20:1; Cumberland University 19:1.

Clayton State University vs. CU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or CU? 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 CU ($8,192 vs. $18,499).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clayton State University are 4.5% lower than at Cumberland University ($12,226 vs. $12,800).
• Cumberland University is 437.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clayton State University (about $22,660 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $5,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.4% higher at CU than at Clayton State University (about $11,308 more per year; $27,840.00 vs. $16,532.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cumberland University than at Clayton State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cumberland University students is 161.6% larger than aid received by Clayton State University students ($24,703 vs. $9,444).

Clayton State University vs. CU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State University or CU? 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 CU and Clayton State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 860/1078.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clayton State University - Test optional; CU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clayton State University Jul 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Clayton State University (3.0).
• Clayton State University has a higher acceptance rate (68.4%) than CU (67.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at Clayton State University vs. 40.5% at CU.

Clayton State University vs. CU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clayton State University and CU? 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).

• Cumberland University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Clayton State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Clayton State University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than CU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $39,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cumberland University graduates have a $5,771 lower median loan debt than Clayton State University graduates ($21,729 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, CU graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clayton State University graduates ($224 vs. $284).
• More CU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.