Clayton State University vs. EIU

Should I go to Clayton State University or Eastern Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clayton State University or EIU 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Western Illinois University ISU Northern Illinois SIUE Southern Illinois University Northeastern Illinois University Indiana State VSU Central University of West Georgia Columbus State Fort Valley State University
Clayton State University vs. Eastern Illinois University comparison
Clayton State University Eastern Illinois University College 3 College 4
Clayton State University Eastern Illinois University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Clayton State University EIU
Location Morrow, GA Charleston, IL
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 5,847 8,857
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #988 #672
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu eiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Clayton State University EIU
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $9,709
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $12,136
Room & Board $10,980 $10,812
Avg Net Price $9,792 $13,380
Avg Grant Aid $8,529 $11,773
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Clayton State University EIU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,255 11,584
Admitted 1,270 7,873
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 68%
Enrolled % 45.6% 11.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 3.39
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/22
SAT Range 890/1090 900/1120
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 EIU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Education (21%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 Clayton State University EIU
Graduation Rate 27% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $43,500
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 59%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $23,650
Median Loan Payment $284 $244

Diversity

 Clayton State University EIU
% Men 31% 42%
% Women 69% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 18% 68%
% Black 66% 19%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

 Clayton State University EIU
% In-State 93% 91%
% Out-of-State 4% 7%

Campus

 Clayton State University EIU
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

  • Eastern Illinois University is larger than than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (8,857 students vs. 5,847 students)

Clayton State University vs. EIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or EIU?

  • Eastern Illinois University is 138.9% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($9,709.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.8% higher at Clayton State University than Eastern Illinois University ($14,786.00 vs. $12,136.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than EIU ($9,792 vs. $13,380)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 1.6% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($10,812 vs. $10,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than Clayton State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 38% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($11,773 vs. $8,529)

Clayton State University vs. EIU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Clayton State University (3.0)
  • EIU has a higher acceptance rate (68%) than Clayton State University (56.3%)

Clayton State University vs. EIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clayton State University or EIU? 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 EIU and Clayton State University.

  • The graduation rate at EIU is higher than Clayton State University (59% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Eastern Illinois University earn on average $1,700 more per year than Clayton State University graduates after ten years. ($43,500 vs. $41,800)
  • Eastern Illinois University students graduate with a $3,850 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($23,650 vs. $27,500)
  • EIU graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans 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/