Clayton State University vs. Southeast Missouri State University

Should I go to Clayton State University or Southeast Missouri State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clayton State University or Southeast Missouri State University 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.

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Clayton State University vs. Southeast Missouri State University comparison
Clayton State University Southeast Missouri State University College 3 College 4
Clayton  State University Southeast Missouri State University
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Overview

Clayton State University Southeast Missouri State University
Location Morrow, GA Cape Girardeau, MO
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 5,842 9,686
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1001 #954
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu semo.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clayton State University Southeast Missouri State University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $8,152
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $8,152
Room & Board $11,104 $11,486
Avg Net Price $9,397 $14,843
Avg Grant Aid $8,505 $8,974
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 93%

Admission

Clayton State University Southeast Missouri State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,782 7,462
Admitted 1,258 5,858
Acceptance Rate 70.6% 78.5%
Enrolled % 40.1% 22%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 3.53
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 850/1030
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, 2026 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Clayton State University Southeast Missouri State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Clayton State University Southeast Missouri State University
Graduation Rate 27% 46%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $22,527
Median Loan Payment $284 $232

Diversity

Clayton State University Southeast Missouri State University
% Men 3% 8%
% Women 6% 9%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 18% 77%
% Black 66% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 1% 7%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Clayton State University Southeast Missouri State University
% In-State 96% 76%
% Out-of-State 3% 18%

Campus

Clayton State University Southeast Missouri State University
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

  • Southeast Missouri State University is larger than than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (9,686 students vs. 5,842 students)

Clayton State University vs. Southeast Missouri State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or Southeast Missouri State University?

  • Southeast Missouri State University is 100.6% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($8,152.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 81.4% higher at Clayton State University than Southeast Missouri State University ($14,786.00 vs. $8,152.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than Southeast Missouri State University ($9,397 vs. $14,843)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clayton State University are 3.4% lower than costs at Southeast Missouri State University ($11,104 vs. $11,486)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southeast Missouri State University than Clayton State University (93% vs. 89%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southeast Missouri State University students is 5.5% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($8,974 vs. $8,505)

Clayton State University vs. Southeast Missouri State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Southeast Missouri State University students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Clayton State University (3.0)
  • Southeast Missouri State University has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Clayton State University (70.6%)

Clayton State University vs. Southeast Missouri State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clayton State University or Southeast Missouri State University? 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 Southeast Missouri State University and Clayton State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southeast Missouri State University is higher than Clayton State University (46% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn on average $1,300 more per year than Southeast Missouri State University graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $40,500)
  • Southeast Missouri State University students graduate with a $4,973 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($22,527 vs. $27,500)
  • Southeast Missouri State University graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Clayton State University graduates. ($232 vs. $284)
  • More Southeast Missouri State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 35%)

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