Clayton State University vs. Tennessee State University

Deciding between Clayton State University and Tennessee State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Clayton  State University
Tennessee State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Clayton State University Morrow, GA
  • Tennessee State University Nashville, TN
  • Setting
  • Clayton State University Large Suburban
  • Tennessee State University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Clayton State University 6,163
  • Tennessee State University 6,310
  • Type
  • Clayton State University Public 4 Year
  • Tennessee State University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Clayton State University #1004
  • Tennessee State University #973
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Clayton State University -
  • Tennessee State University -
  • Status
  • Clayton State University Non-profit
  • Tennessee State University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Clayton State University
  • Tennessee State University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Clayton State University $5,180
  • Tennessee State University $8,616
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Clayton State University $16,532
  • Tennessee State University $22,416
  • Room & Board
  • Clayton State University $12,226
  • Tennessee State University $11,150
  • Average Net Price
  • Clayton State University $8,192
  • Tennessee State University $14,586
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Clayton State University $9,444
  • Tennessee State University $9,661
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Clayton State University 92%
  • Tennessee State University 67%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Clayton State University Calculate
  • Tennessee State University Calculate
  • Applied
  • Clayton State University 1,870
  • Tennessee State University 9,660
  • Admitted
  • Clayton State University 1,280
  • Tennessee State University 6,773
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Clayton State University 68.4%
  • Tennessee State University 70.1% Open
  • Enrolled
  • Clayton State University 40.5%
  • Tennessee State University 13% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Clayton State University 970
  • Tennessee State University 970
  • Typical ACT score
  • Clayton State University 17
  • Tennessee State University 18
  • Average High School GPA
  • Clayton State University 3.0
  • Tennessee State University 3.22
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Clayton State University B
  • Tennessee State University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Clayton State University Extremely Easy
  • Tennessee State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Clayton State University Low
  • Tennessee State University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Clayton State University 15/19
  • Tennessee State University 16/21
  • SAT Range
  • Clayton State University 860/1078
  • Tennessee State University 880/1050
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Clayton State University Test optional
  • Tennessee State University Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • Clayton State University Jul 17, 2027
  • Tennessee State University
  • Academics

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

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

  • % Men
  • Clayton State University 31%
  • Tennessee State University 35%
  • % Women
  • Clayton State University 69%
  • Tennessee State University 65%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Clayton State University Medium
  • Tennessee State University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Clayton State University No
  • Tennessee State University Yes
  • % White
  • Clayton State University 18%
  • Tennessee State University 14%
  • % Asian
  • Clayton State University 5%
  • Tennessee State University 1%
  • % Black
  • Clayton State University 66%
  • Tennessee State University 70%
  • % Hispanic
  • Clayton State University 3%
  • Tennessee State University 1%
  • % Native American
  • Clayton State University 0%
  • Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Clayton State University 0%
  • Tennessee State University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Clayton State University 3%
  • Tennessee State University 3%
  • % International
  • Clayton State University 1%
  • Tennessee State University 11%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Clayton State University 4%
  • Tennessee State University 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Clayton State University 94%
  • Tennessee State University 41%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Clayton State University 3%
  • Tennessee State University 57%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Clayton State University in Morrow, GA with Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tennessee State University is larger than Clayton State University based on total student enrollment (6,310 students vs. 6,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Clayton State University is located in Morrow, GA (Large Suburban setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
  • Clayton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Clayton State University 20:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Clayton State University vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University ($8,192 vs. $14,586).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 8.8% lower than at Clayton State University ($11,150 vs. $12,226).
  • Tennessee State University is 66.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clayton State University (about $3,436 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $5,180.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 35.6% higher at Tennessee State University than at Clayton State University (about $5,884 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $16,532.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clayton State University than at Tennessee State University (92% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Clayton State University students ($9,661 vs. $9,444).

Clayton State University vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clayton State University or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University and Clayton State University.

  • Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Clayton State University (970) is the same as at Tennessee State University (970).
  • Incoming Tennessee State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Clayton State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 860/1078; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Clayton State University 15/19; Tennessee State University 16/21.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clayton State University - Test optional; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Clayton State University Jul 17, 2027.
  • 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).
  • Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (70.1%) than Clayton State University (68.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at Clayton State University vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

Clayton State University vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clayton State University and Tennessee 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).

  • Tennessee State University's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than Clayton State University's (27%).
  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Clayton State University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($27,500 vs. $28,000).
  • Among borrowers, Clayton State University graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.