Clayton State University vs. SWU

Should I go to Clayton State University or Southern Wesleyan University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Clayton State University or SWU 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. Southern Wesleyan University comparison
Clayton State University Southern Wesleyan University College 3 College 4
Clayton State University
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Overview

 Clayton State University SWU
Location Morrow, GA Central, SC
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 5,847 1,175
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #988 #826
Religious Affiliation - Wesleyan - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu edu.
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Clayton State University SWU
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $26,520
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $26,520
Room & Board $10,980 $9,650
Avg Net Price $9,792 $17,639
Avg Grant Aid $8,529 $19,636
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 100%

Admission

 Clayton State University SWU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,255 846
Admitted 1,270 433
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 51.2%
Enrolled % 45.6% 34.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 4.0
Typical High School Grades B A/A+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 16/22 19/23
SAT Range 890/1090 1013/1160
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 SWU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Business (66%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Psychology (3%)

Outcomes

 Clayton State University SWU
Graduation Rate 27% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $284 $279

Diversity

 Clayton State University SWU
% Men 31% 33%
% Women 69% 67%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 18% 63%
% Black 66% 28%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

 Clayton State University SWU
% In-State 93% 58%
% Out-of-State 4% 42%

Campus

 Clayton State University SWU
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

  • Clayton State University is larger than than SWU based on total student enrollment (5,847 students vs. 1,175 students)

Clayton State University vs. SWU Cost Comparison

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

  • Southern Wesleyan University is 552.6% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($26,520.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 79.4% higher at SWU than Clayton State University ($26,520.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than SWU ($9,792 vs. $17,639)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 13.8% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($9,650 vs. $10,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than Clayton State University (100% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 130.2% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($19,636 vs. $8,529)

Clayton State University vs. SWU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman SWU students have a 1 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Clayton State University (3.0)
  • Clayton State University has a higher acceptance rate (56.3%) than SWU (51.2%)

Clayton State University vs. SWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SWU is higher than Clayton State University (42% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn on average $3,000 more per year than Clayton State University graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $41,800)
  • Southern Wesleyan University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($27,000 vs. $27,500)
  • SWU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Clayton State University graduates. ($279 vs. $284)
  • More SWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 35%)

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