Clayton State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Clayton State University in Morrow, GA with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (8,214 students vs. 6,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clayton State University is located in Morrow, GA (Large Suburban setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Clayton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clayton State University 20:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

Clayton State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,192 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 9.8% lower than at Clayton State University ($11,028 vs. $12,226).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 100% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clayton State University (about $5,181 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $5,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.6% higher at Clayton State University than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $6,171 more per year; $16,532.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at Clayton State University (94% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Clayton State University students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($9,444 vs. $8,674).

Clayton State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State University or Southwest Minnesota State University? 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and Clayton State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 50 points higher than at Clayton State University (970).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Clayton State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 860/1078; Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 15/19; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clayton State University - Test optional; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Clayton State University Jul 17, 2027; Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at Clayton State University (3.0).
• Clayton State University has a higher acceptance rate (68.4%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at Clayton State University vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Clayton State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clayton State University and Southwest Minnesota State University? 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).

• Southwest Minnesota State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Clayton State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Clayton State University earn a median of about $600 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have a $5,822 lower median loan debt than Clayton State University graduates ($21,678 vs. $27,500).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Minnesota State University graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clayton State University graduates ($224 vs. $284).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.