Clayton State University

What are the graduation rates for students at Clayton State University?

Graduation rates at Clayton State University present a challenging outlook for prospective students. The overall graduation rate is 35%, placing the university in the bottom 15% nationally. This rate further varies significantly when broken down by gender: 23% of men graduate, a figure ranked in the bottom 10%, while the graduation rate for women is higher at 43%, yet still low and falling into the bottom 20%.

The university's four-year graduation rate is particularly low, at just 15%, ranking in the bottom 10% of institutions. After six years, the graduation rate improves to 35%, yet this remains low relative to national comparisons. Retention rates at Clayton State University stand at 73%, categorized as average but still within the bottom 45% of schools.

Though specific graduation rates by major are not available, the broad data indicates that students face extended timelines in completing their degrees. Those enrolled in larger bachelor's degree programs, such as Health Professions and Related Programs (261 students), Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (165 students), and Psychology (78 students), may particularly experience these trends, given the institutional graduation context.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Clayton State University?

Graduates from Clayton State University experience a wide range of earnings depending on their field of study, with some degrees offering notably higher financial prospects. Those who earned degrees in nursing, specifically Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, and Clinical Nursing, report some of the highest average salaries, reaching approximately $66,460. This level of compensation reflects strong demand and specialized skills in the healthcare sector.

Other health-related programs also show respectable earnings, such as Dental Support Services and Allied Professions, with graduates earning around $49,822 on average, as well as Computer and Information Sciences and Computer Science graduates who earn close to $47,000. These figures suggest that technical and healthcare disciplines provide considerable economic benefits for alumni.

Business disciplines similarly offer competitive salaries. For example, graduates in Business Administration, Management and Operations earn about $41,451, while those in Legal Support Services make roughly $41,833. Fields like Accounting and Related Services and Marketing produce solid returns, with earnings near $35,264 and $31,092, respectively. These areas may appeal to students interested in commercial and professional sectors.

Around the mid-range are degrees like Teacher Education and Professional Development at $43,155, Criminal Justice and Corrections at about $32,275, and Social Sciences such as Sociology and History, which have average earnings between $31,000 and $31,128. Meanwhile, graduates in Liberal Arts, General Studies, and Humanities earn roughly $31,701, indicating moderate salary potential in more general academic fields.

Some degrees report lower salary averages, including Communication and Media Studies at $26,604, Health and Physical Education/Fitness near $25,227, and Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology at approximately $22,426. These figures suggest that students pursuing certain humanities and social sciences programs might anticipate more modest initial earnings post-graduation.