Clayton State University is located 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta in a beautiful lakeside setting. The University currently offers six master’s degree programs and over 30 baccalaureate degree programs. With an enrollment of 6,000 students, Clayton State has experienced significant growth over the past six years. The University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as having the most diverse student population among comprehensive baccalaureate-level colleges and universities in the Southern United States. A national pioneer in “ubiquitous mobile computing,” Clayton State was the third public university to require that each student have access to a notebook computer and has distinguished its learning environment as one of a small number of “Notebook Universities.” Clayton State University is the only university in the country adjacent to both state and national archives facilities: the Georgia Archives and the National Archives and Records Administration Southeast Region. The world-class music recital venue, Spivey Hall, is located on the University’s campus.

Significant facilities expansion has occurred over the past year. A new home for the School of Business was dedicated on October 1, 2008. Laker Hall, a 451 bed student housing structure and Georgia's first and only gigaplex residence hall, was dedicated on August 12, 2008. On September 18, 2008, a 62,000 square foot Student Activities Center was dedicated containing a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, student organization office space, and a ballroom. These three new buildings have dramatically changed and enhanced academics and campus life at Clayton State University. On-campus residential housing offers opportunities for freshmen learning communities which foster student success.

In August 2006, Clayton State University welcomed its first graduate students. The first cohort of students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program, and the University awarded the first MALS graduate degree in December 2008. Subsequently, the Master of Science in Nursing and the Master of Health Administration programs commenced. In May 2009, the Master of Arts in Teaching program will enroll its first students with two tracks available in English and in Math.