Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Morrow, Georgia
70.6% Acceptance Rate
Clayton State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
70.6%Acceptance Rate
3Avg GPA
973Avg SAT
18Avg ACT
$17,940Annual Cost
$49,179Grad Salary
51.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
70.6%
Avg GPA
3
Avg SAT
973
Avg ACT
18
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
868–1070
ACT Middle 50%
16–20
Avg Net Price
$10,145
Need-Based Aid
51.9% receive Pell
Clayton State University, founded in 1969 in Morrow, Georgia, is a public university known for nursing, business, and film production. It's ranked for diversity and affordability.
The lakeside campus features health sciences labs, a film studio, and business incubators. Proximity to Atlanta enhances career and cultural access.
Clayton State University Acceptance Rate
Clayton State University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 70.6% each year.
What Clayton State University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 70.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.00 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.80 – 2.99
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.55
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Clayton State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark August 10 for Clayton State University (Final Document (Fall, Full Term) — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 2 days left — Final Document (Fall, Full Term)
Final Document (Fall, Full Term)
August 10
Priority (Spring, Full Term)
November 15
International Final Document (Spring)
November 15
Regular (Spring, Full Term)
December 1
Final Document (Spring, Full Term)
December 10
Priority (Summer, Full Term)
April 15
Regular (Summer, Full Term)
May 1
Final Document (Summer, Full Term)
May 10
Priority (Fall, Full Term)
July 15
International Final Document (Fall)
July 15
Regular (Fall, Full Term)
August 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Clayton State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Clayton State University is 3. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.20–3.40.Clayton State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context, such as leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.00 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.80 – 2.99
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.60 – 2.79
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.59
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General undergraduate admission is largely formula-driven (GPA/test-based); nursing, dental hygiene, music, teacher education, IT, and business have separate, additional program-level admission standards.
- BSN program: 2.80 GPA minimum, KNAT entrance exam, 45?60 seats per cohort (Morrow) from 100?300 applicants.
- Honors Program students get BSN admission priority if they meet standard criteria.
- Applicants dismissed from another nursing program are ineligible; those suspended are reviewed case-by-case.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Clayton State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Clayton State University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Clayton State University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Clayton State University. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Clayton State University Without SAT or ACT?
Clayton State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Clayton State University Average SAT Score: 973
Admitted students at Clayton State University average a 973 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 973 — Accessible
A 973 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1070 SAT or 20 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Clayton State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 868? A retake is worth it at Clayton State University. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 469 | 418 | 520 |
| SAT Reading | 500 | 450 | 550 |
| SAT Composite | 973 | 868 | 1070 |
A score under 868 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1070+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 950
Can I get into Clayton State University with a 1050 SAT?
At 1050, your SAT is squarely in Clayton State University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Clayton State University ACT Requirements
Clayton State University's admitted students average an ACT of 18.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 18 — Accessible
An average of 18 means even a modest ACT score can strengthen your application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 17 | 15 | 18 |
| ACT English | 17 | 14 | 20 |
| ACT Composite | 18 | 16 | 20 |
Can I get into Clayton State University with a 20 ACT?
At 20, you're in the top quarter of Clayton State University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Clayton State University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Clayton State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Clayton State University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Treat nursing (BSN) admission as a completely separate, competitive second application
General university admission does not get you into the BSN program. You must separately apply with a 2.80 GPA, pass the KNAT entrance exam, and compete for one of only 45?60 fall/spring seats (Morrow campus) from a pool of 100?300 applicants.
Sequence your prerequisites correctly before applying to nursing
Complete 45 semester hours of BSN core coursework and the HLTH 3201 Pathophysiology course in your first semester at Clayton State - apply to the nursing program only after that sequencing, not before.
Use Clayton State's Honors Program as a real edge for competitive programs
Honors Program students get admission priority for the BSN program if they meet all standard program requirements - worth pursuing Honors from day one if nursing (or another limited-enrollment major) is your goal.
Budget time and paperwork for background check and health clearance before program enrollment
Nursing admission requires criminal background clearance, drug screening, and health-status documentation on top of the academic application - start this well before your intended program start date, since it runs on its own timeline.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes assume "admitted to Clayton State" means "admitted to nursing" and only discover the separate competitive gate after enrolling - general admission gets you into a Health Sciences pre-nursing track, not the BSN program itself.
Clayton State University Profile
Full Name
Clayton State University
City
Morrow
State
Georgia
ZIP Code
30260-0285
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Clayton State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Clayton State University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $65,400, and graduates see a 3.71% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Clayton State University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $17,940/year at Clayton State University. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $10,145.
At Clayton State University, 51.9% receive a Pell Grant and 40.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Clayton State University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Clayton State University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Clayton State University graduates report a median income of $49,179, about 21% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Clayton State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 935 | NA |
| Avila University | Kansas City, MO | 942 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Clayton State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| St Luke's College | Sioux City, IA | 980 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Clayton State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Clayton State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Clayton State University Admissions
Clayton State University graduates earn a lower median salary of $49,179/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Clayton State University is relatively affordable, around $17,940/year.
51.9% of Clayton State University students receive a Pell Grant, which is need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Clayton State University as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Clayton State University's acceptance rate is 70.6%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Clayton State University students is 3, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.7 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Clayton State University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.6 or below makes admission tougher at Clayton State University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Clayton State University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 973, and within the 868–1070 range, keeps you competitive.
Clayton State University's deadline is August 10 (Final Document (Fall, Full Term)).
Clayton State University charges an application fee of 40; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.