Clayton State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate

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

Clayton State University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Location Morrow, GA Spartanburg, SC
Setting Large Suburban Midsize Suburban
Enrollment 5,847 4,913
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #988 #823
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website clayton.edu uscupstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Clayton State University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Tuition (In State) $4,064 $11,208
Tuition (Out of State) $14,786 $22,170
Room & Board $10,980 $9,520
Avg Net Price $9,792 $13,835
Avg Grant Aid $8,529 $12,038
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

Clayton State University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,255 3,090
Admitted 1,270 2,428
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 78.6%
Enrolled % 45.6% 28.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.0 2.53
Typical High School Grades B C+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/22 20/25
SAT Range 890/1090 950/1150
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 University of South Carolina-Upstate
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%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Clayton State University University of South Carolina-Upstate
Graduation Rate 27% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,800 $39,300
Making Student Loan Payments 35% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $284 $232

Diversity

Clayton State University University of South Carolina-Upstate
% Men 31% 32%
% Women 69% 68%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 18% 56%
% Black 66% 29%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

Clayton State University University of South Carolina-Upstate
% In-State 93% 92%
% Out-of-State 4% 6%

Campus

Clayton State University University of South Carolina-Upstate
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

  • Clayton State University is larger than than University of South Carolina-Upstate based on total student enrollment (5,847 students vs. 4,913 students)

Clayton State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clayton State University or University of South Carolina-Upstate?

  • University of South Carolina Upstate is 175.8% more expensive to attend than Clayton State University for in-state tuition ($11,208.00 vs. $4,064.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.9% higher at University of South Carolina-Upstate than Clayton State University ($22,170.00 vs. $14,786.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Clayton State University than University of South Carolina-Upstate ($9,792 vs. $13,835)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Upstate are 15.3% lower than costs at Clayton State University ($9,520 vs. $10,980)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Clayton State University as University of South Carolina Upstate (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Upstate students is 41.1% larger than aid received Clayton State University ($12,038 vs. $8,529)

Clayton State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Clayton State University students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.0) than students at University of South Carolina-Upstate (2.53)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than Clayton State University (56.3%)

Clayton State University vs. University of South Carolina-Upstate Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Clayton State University or University of South Carolina-Upstate? 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 University of South Carolina-Upstate and Clayton State University.

  • The graduation rate at University of South Carolina-Upstate is higher than Clayton State University (39% vs. 27%)
  • Graduates from Clayton State University earn on average $2,500 more per year than University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates after ten years. ($41,800 vs. $39,300)
  • University of South Carolina Upstate students graduate with a $5,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Clayton State University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,500)
  • University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are paying $52 less per month on federal student loans than Clayton State University graduates. ($232 vs. $284)
  • More University of South Carolina-Upstate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clayton State University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 35%)

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