Clayton State University vs. EIU

Comparable Facts

Compare Clayton State University in Morrow, GA with Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Eastern Illinois University is larger than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (8,505 students vs. 6,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clayton State University is located in Morrow, GA (Large Suburban setting); Eastern Illinois University is in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting).
• Clayton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clayton State University 20:1; Eastern Illinois University 14:1.

Clayton State University vs. EIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or EIU? 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 EIU ($8,192 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clayton State University are 0.5% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($12,226 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 164.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clayton State University (about $8,499 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $5,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Clayton State University than at Eastern Illinois University (about $315 more per year; $16,532.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at Clayton State University (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 37.2% larger than aid received by Clayton State University students ($12,960 vs. $9,444).

Clayton State University vs. EIU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eastern Illinois University (990) is 20 points higher than at Clayton State University (970).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 860/1078; Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• 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; EIU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clayton State University Jul 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Clayton State University (3.0).
• Clayton State University has a higher acceptance rate (68.4%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at Clayton State University vs. 9.8% at EIU.

Clayton State University vs. EIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Clayton State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Clayton State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,500 vs. $41,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Eastern Illinois University graduates have a $3,850 lower median loan debt than Clayton State University graduates ($23,650 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, EIU graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clayton State University graduates ($244 vs. $284).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.