Dreams. Made Real. | Clayton State University

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To give a dream life, you must believe in it. Nurture it. Insist upon it until it becomes real in your hands. We should know. Clayton State University was born from a dream of making higher education more accessible to all of Georgia’s citizens.

Over 40 years later, we are a dream made real, serving not only Georgia but every region of the United States and more than 30 foreign countries. Turning dreams into reality is now our specialty. And we believe in your dream. Let us help you make it real.

Devante Bowman, B.S.N. Nursing

Devante’s inspiration to help others starts close to his heart––his mother, a three-time breast cancer survivor. Devante says becoming a registered nurse is a way to pay back his mother for the sacrifices she made so he can achieve his dream.

“Clayton State has motivated me to push beyond my limits.”

An Affordable Choice

We believe financial circumstances should never get in the way of your dreams. That's why we offer various types of aid for eligible students — scholarships, loans, grants — to put education within your reach.

Most Affordable Colleges for Incoming Students

Jessica Charman, B.A. Communication and Media Studies and English
Hailing from England, Jessica has become a formidable player on the soccer field and a top student in the classroom. Poised to begin her career as a broadcast journalist, success for Jessica means putting in the work and taking opportunities as they come. Her drive and motivation is a constant reminder of why Clayton State was the best decision she has made.
“I realized this is where I had to go. Dreams can be made real. And Clayton State made mine come true.”

Hands-On and Engaged Learning

Learning goes beyond the classroom at Clayton State University. Through experiential learning opportunities and internships, you’ll learn how to apply the theories you study in the classroom to the real-world issues within your field of interest.

Take part in an internship in Atlanta, Georgia’s diverse, thriving capital.
Work in our nursing simulation lab or Dental Hygiene Clinic.
Perform in renowned Spivey Hall.
Every hands-on learning opportunity will take you closer to the career of your dreams.

Linda Sayseng, B.A. Communications and Media Studies
After watching “The Princess Bride,” Linda got hooked on movies. With her eye set on becoming an award-winning filmmaker, her goal is to tell stories that allow the viewer to find fantasy in reality.
“I’m able to dream something different that’s not in everyday life. I’m passionate about storytelling and sharing it with the world.”

A Welcoming Campus

Natural surroundings, walkable paths, and quiet lakes make Clayton State a beautiful place to learn.

Empowerment Through Top Academics

Your time, your finances, and your dream are precious. We know you need to be sure that the university you entrust with them is going to empower you with the resources and expertise you need for your future.

Don’t worry: we’ve got them. In fact, our academic reputation is one of the top reasons students come to Clayton State University.

Ranked among the nation’s top 140 universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report
Ranked among most affordable colleges and universities for incoming freshman who demonstrate need by The Student Loan Report
12th among Atlanta’s 25 largest colleges and universities by Atlanta Business Chronicle

Shaneil Johnson, B.S. Biology

Shaneil always knew she wanted to be in the sciences ever since she was a little girl. With a degree in biology, she hopes to use her lab research to embark on a career in forensics.

“My experience here at Clayton State has been phenomenal. I have had excellent professors who have a desire to help you one on one. I have gained plenty of friendships.”

Supportive Community

We know that to make a dream real, it helps to have a community of people who want you to succeed as much as you do. That’s exactly what you have when you come to Clayton State –– a family who will be with you every step of the way.

Count on us for:

Individualized and continuous advising services
Faculty who are experts in their fields and dedicated to your learning
A Center for Academic Success complete with tutoring services and workshops
Mental health support through our Counseling and Psychological Services
Resources for veterans
Ways to get involved and make friends through student organizations and volunteering
Clayton State offers campus safety and security services such as 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, and lighted pathways/sidewalks.

Jonathan Black, M.B.A.

With a desire to become an executive in a sports marketing agency or sports franchise, Jonathan wants to turn his lifelong love of sports into a lucrative career that will give him an opportunity to mentor others and build a sense of community that he found at Clayton State.

“Community is a big part of Clayton State. The professors here have played an integral part on the path I’ve taken and the passions I’ve developed. I would really like to help those in my local community to achieve their dreams.”

Dream Jobs

Clayton State is your ticket to becoming a competitive player in the workforce. With our connections to top industries in Atlanta, see where your degree can take you.

Radio Personality

Photographer

Filmmaker

Business Owner

Human Resources Coordinator

Chief Operations Officer

Software Developer

Doctor of Emergency Medicine

State Senator

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Located just 15 miles outside of Atlanta. Clayton State is close to all the city has to offer.

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Seamless Inclusion

What’s one of the best ways to realize a dream? Trade perspectives. Learn about one another. Develop respect for all people in this global community of which we are each a citizen. In doing so, you give your dream depth, versatility, stay power, and humanity.

We believe in this so much that we have built inclusion and diversity into our very structure — our people, our classrooms, our campus life. That’s why we are consistently recognized by US News & World Report as having the most diverse student body among colleges and universities in the South.

And that’s not all. Clayton State has:

Students from over 37 foreign countries
8 homegrown study-abroad programs
Several multicultural programs
Resources for those with documented disabilities
Resources and scholarships for underrepresented groups
65+ student groups for students to pursue diverse interests

43 undergrad degrees, 8 grad degrees and 5 associate degrees