Clayton State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

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

Clayton State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Location Morrow, GA Marshall, MN
Setting Large Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 5,847 6,930
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #988 #948
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu smsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clayton State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $8,840
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $8,840
Room & Board $10,980 $9,258
Avg Net Price $9,792 $15,004
Avg Grant Aid $8,529 $7,389
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Clayton State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,255 1,558
Admitted 1,270 1,427
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 91.6%
Enrolled % 45.6% 22.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 3.21
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22 17/23
SAT Range 890/1090 935/1102
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 Aug 18, 2025

Academics

Clayton State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Clayton State University Southwest Minnesota State University
Graduation Rate 27% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $41,200
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $21,678
Median Loan Payment $284 $224

Diversity

Clayton State University Southwest Minnesota State University
% Men 31% 38%
% Women 69% 62%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 18% 80%
% Black 66% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

Clayton State University Southwest Minnesota State University
% In-State 93% 74%
% Out-of-State 4% 20%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 5,847 students)

Clayton State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or Southwest Minnesota State University?

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 117.5% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 67.3% higher at Clayton State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($14,786.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($9,792 vs. $15,004)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 18.6% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($9,258 vs. $10,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clayton State University than Southwest Minnesota State University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Clayton State University students is 15.4% larger than aid received Southwest Minnesota State University ($8,529 vs. $7,389)

Clayton State University vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • 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)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Clayton State University (56.3%)

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

Which is better, Clayton State University or Southwest Minnesota 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 Southwest Minnesota State University and Clayton State University.

  • The graduation rate at Southwest Minnesota State University is higher than Clayton State University (39% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn on average $600 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $5,822 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $27,500)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $60 less per month on federal student loans 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/