Clayton State University vs. Tennessee State University

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

Clayton State University Tennessee State University
Location Morrow, GA Nashville, TN
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,847 9,218
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #988
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu tnstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clayton State University Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $7,128
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $20,484
Room & Board $10,980 $8,542
Avg Net Price $9,792 $11,986
Avg Grant Aid $8,529 $17,315
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Clayton State University Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,255 -
Admitted 1,270 -
Acceptance Rate 56.3% Open
Enrolled % 45.6% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.0 3.22
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22
SAT Range 890/1090
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 17, 2025

Academics

Clayton State University Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (25%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)

Outcomes

Clayton State University Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 27% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $38,400
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 29%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $28,000
Median Loan Payment $284 $289

Diversity

Clayton State University Tennessee State University
% Men 31% 34%
% Women 69% 66%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 18% 14%
% Black 66% 70%
% Hispanic 3% 1%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 1% 11%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

Clayton State University Tennessee State University
% In-State 93% 38%
% Out-of-State 4% 61%

Campus

Clayton State University Tennessee 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

  • Tennessee State University is larger than than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (9,218 students vs. 5,847 students)

Clayton State University vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Tennessee State University is 75.4% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($7,128.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 38.5% higher at Tennessee State University than Clayton State University ($20,484.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than Tennessee State University ($9,792 vs. $11,986)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 28.5% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($8,542 vs. $10,980)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Clayton State University than Tennessee State University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 103% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($17,315 vs. $8,529)

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

  • Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Clayton State University (3.0)

Clayton State University vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clayton State University or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University and Clayton State University.

  • The graduation rate at Tennessee State University is higher than Clayton State University (36% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn on average $3,400 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $38,400)
  • Clayton State University students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates. ($27,500 vs. $28,000)
  • Clayton State University graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Tennessee State University graduates. ($284 vs. $289)
  • More Clayton State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (35% vs. 29%)

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