Bluffton University vs. Cleveland State

Should I go to Bluffton University or Cleveland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Bluffton University 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.
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Bluffton University vs. Cleveland State University comparison
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Bluffton University Cleveland State University
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Overview

 Bluffton University Cleveland State
Location Bluffton, OH Cleveland, OH
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 745 14,385
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #769
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website bluffton.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Bluffton University Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $34,716 $12,144
Tuition (Out of State) $34,716 $17,359
Room & Board $11,602 $14,197
Avg Net Price $21,247 $15,719
Avg Grant Aid $28,214 $9,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

 Bluffton University Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,105 11,570
Admitted 1,064 9,872
Acceptance Rate 96.3% 85.3%
Enrolled % 15.2% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 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 15, 2025

Academics

 Bluffton University Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (41%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Work and Family Studies (4%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Bluffton University Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 59% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,600 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

 Bluffton University Cleveland State
% Men 49% 46%
% Women 51% 54%
Racial Diversity Very Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 85% 64%
% Black 6% 17%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Bluffton University Cleveland State
% In-State 79% 85%
% Out-of-State 19% 7%

Campus

 Bluffton University 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 Bluffton University based on total student enrollment (14,385 students vs. 745 students)

Bluffton University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bluffton University or Cleveland State?

  • Bluffton University is 185.9% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($34,716.00 vs. $12,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 100% higher at Bluffton University than Cleveland State University ($34,716.00 vs. $17,359.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than Bluffton University ($15,719 vs. $21,247)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bluffton University are 22.4% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($11,602 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Bluffton University than Cleveland State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Bluffton University students is 199% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($28,214 vs. $9,436)

Bluffton University vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cleveland State University (1028) is 56 points higher than at Bluffton University (972)
  • Incoming Cleveland State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Bluffton University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Bluffton University (3.26)
  • Bluffton University has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than Cleveland State (85.3%)

Bluffton University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Bluffton University 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 Bluffton University.

  • The graduation rate at Bluffton University is higher than Cleveland State University (59% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Cleveland State University earn on average $3,600 more per year than Bluffton University graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $40,600)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Bluffton University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Bluffton University graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Bluffton University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 47%)

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