Clayton State University

Public · Moderately Selective · GA

Photo: Thomson200 (CC0)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationGA · South

SettingSuburban

Undergrads4,348

Student:faculty20:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate18%

6-yr grad rate39.9%

Drop-out rate29.1%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$5k

Out-of-state tuition$17k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity91.5%

Gender diversity69.9%

International1.3%

Identity—

Overview

Clayton State University is a public university in Morrow, Georgia, in the southern suburbs of metro Atlanta, built around serving commuting, working, and adult students rather than a traditional residential population. It has a long-standing reputation as a leader among Georgia's public universities in flexible, career-focused programming for nontraditional students.

Academics

Nursing and other health-science programs are the strongest draw, alongside business and a notable archival studies program that is unusual for a university of its size and profile. Coursework tends toward practical, credential-oriented paths, with scheduling built to accommodate students balancing work and family alongside classes.

Campus & student life

The lakeside campus is best known for Spivey Hall, a nationally regarded venue for classical and chamber music that brings performers to campus far beyond what the university's size would suggest. Most students commute, so campus social life centers more on daytime activity and specific venues like Spivey Hall than on residential-campus traditions.

Worth knowing

Spivey Hall's reputation among classical musicians is disproportionate to the university's overall profile, and it is a genuine point of distinction for students interested in music even if they are not enrolled in a conservatory-style program.

clayton.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate68.5%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 860–1078 · ACT 15–19

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying