Clayton State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Clayton State University in Morrow, GA with The University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Clayton State University is larger than The University of Tennessee Southern based on total student enrollment (6,163 students vs. 1,046 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clayton State University is located in Morrow, GA (Large Suburban setting); The University of Tennessee Southern is in Pulaski, TN (Distant Town setting).
• Clayton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Southern is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clayton State University 20:1; The University of Tennessee Southern 14:1.

Clayton State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern ($8,192 vs. $14,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tennessee Southern are 32.1% lower than at Clayton State University ($8,300 vs. $12,226).
• The University of Tennessee Southern is 110.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clayton State University (about $5,744 more per year; $10,924.00 vs. $5,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.3% higher at Clayton State University than at The University of Tennessee Southern (about $5,608 more per year; $16,532.00 vs. $10,924.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Southern than at Clayton State University (99% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Southern students is 9.7% larger than aid received by Clayton State University students ($10,358 vs. $9,444).

Clayton State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State University or The University of Tennessee Southern? 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 The University of Tennessee Southern and Clayton State University.

• The University of Tennessee Southern reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Southern (1010) is 40 points higher than at Clayton State University (970).
• Incoming The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Clayton State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 860/1078; The University of Tennessee Southern 905/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 15/19; The University of Tennessee Southern 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clayton State University - Test optional; The University of Tennessee Southern - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clayton State University Jul 17, 2027; The University of Tennessee Southern Aug 26, 2027.
• Accepted freshman The University of Tennessee Southern students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.17) than students at Clayton State University (3.0).
• The University of Tennessee Southern has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Clayton State University (68.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at Clayton State University vs. 26.1% at The University of Tennessee Southern.

Clayton State University vs. The University of Tennessee Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clayton State University and The University of Tennessee Southern? 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).

• The University of Tennessee Southern's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Clayton State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Clayton State University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than The University of Tennessee Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have a $5,185 lower median loan debt than Clayton State University graduates ($22,315 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, The University of Tennessee Southern graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clayton State University graduates ($230 vs. $284).
• More The University of Tennessee Southern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.