Adrian College vs. Cleveland State

Should I go to Adrian College or Cleveland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Adrian College or Cleveland State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

University of Dayton Kent State BGSU UC Ohio State WSU Gannon University Lewis University University of Akron Youngstown State Case Western Wright State
Adrian College vs. Cleveland State University comparison
Adrian College Cleveland State University College 3 College 4
Adrian College Cleveland State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Adrian College Cleveland State
Location Adrian, MI Cleveland, OH
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 1,821 14,385
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #846 #769
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website adrian.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Adrian College Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $38,321 $12,144
Tuition (Out of State) $38,321 $17,359
Room & Board $12,980 $14,197
Avg Net Price $24,870 $15,719
Avg Grant Aid $31,555 $9,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 91%

Admission

 Adrian College Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,329 11,570
Admitted 2,299 9,872
Acceptance Rate 69.1% 85.3%
Enrolled % 22.1% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.2 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/25 18/25
SAT Range 940/1160 880/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Adrian College Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Adrian College Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 49% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,900 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 63% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

 Adrian College Cleveland State
% Men 53% 46%
% Women 47% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 72% 64%
% Black 9% 17%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 9% 2%

Students

 Adrian College Cleveland State
% In-State 64% 85%
% Out-of-State 30% 7%

Campus

 Adrian College Cleveland State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than Adrian College based on total student enrollment (14,385 students vs. 1,821 students)

Adrian College vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Adrian College or Cleveland State?

  • Adrian College is 215.6% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($38,321.00 vs. $12,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 120.8% higher at Adrian College than Cleveland State University ($38,321.00 vs. $17,359.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than Adrian College ($15,719 vs. $24,870)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Adrian College are 9.4% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($12,980 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Adrian College than Cleveland State University (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Adrian College students is 234.4% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($31,555 vs. $9,436)

Adrian College vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Adrian College or Cleveland State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Cleveland State or Adrian College .

  • The average SAT score at Cleveland State University (1028) is 20 points higher than at Adrian College (1008)
  • Incoming Adrian College students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Cleveland State (22)
  • Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Adrian College (3.2)
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Adrian College (69.1%)

Adrian College vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Adrian College or Cleveland State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Cleveland State and Adrian College.

  • The graduation rate at Adrian College is higher than Cleveland State University (49% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Cleveland State University earn on average $4,300 more per year than Adrian College graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $39,900)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Adrian College graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Adrian College graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Adrian College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/