Clayton State University vs. NSU

Should I go to Clayton State University or Norfolk State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clayton State University or NSU 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
Clayton State University vs. Norfolk State University comparison
Clayton State University Norfolk State University College 3 College 4
Clayton  State University Norfolk State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Clayton State University NSU
Location Morrow, GA Norfolk, VA
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 5,842 6,045
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1001 #999
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu nsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clayton State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $5,926
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $17,428
Room & Board $11,104 $11,692
Avg Net Price $9,397 $12,272
Avg Grant Aid $8,505 $11,153
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 97%

Admission

Clayton State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,782 10,211
Admitted 1,258 8,931
Acceptance Rate 70.6% 87.5%
Enrolled % 40.1% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 2.9
Typical High School Grades B B-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/20 16/21
SAT Range 868/1070 840/1100
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 May 31, 2025

Academics

Clayton State University NSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Communication (7%)

Outcomes

Clayton State University NSU
Graduation Rate 27% 33%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $36,700
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 27%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $31,000
Median Loan Payment $284 $320

Diversity

Clayton State University NSU
% Men 3% 3%
% Women 6% 5%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 18% 5%
% Black 66% 84%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 3%

Students

Clayton State University NSU
% In-State 96% 65%
% Out-of-State 3% 31%

Campus

Clayton State University NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Norfolk State University is larger than than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (6,045 students vs. 5,842 students)

Clayton State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Norfolk State University is 45.8% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($5,926.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 17.9% higher at NSU than Clayton State University ($17,428.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than NSU ($9,397 vs. $12,272)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clayton State University are 5.3% lower than costs at Norfolk State University ($11,104 vs. $11,692)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Norfolk State University than Clayton State University (97% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 31.1% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($11,153 vs. $8,505)

Clayton State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Clayton State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.0) than students at NSU (2.9)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Clayton State University (70.6%)

Clayton State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at NSU is higher than Clayton State University (33% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn on average $5,100 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $36,700)
  • Clayton State University students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($27,500 vs. $31,000)
  • Clayton State University graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($284 vs. $320)
  • More Clayton State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 27%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/