Capital University vs. Cleveland State

Should I go to Capital University or Cleveland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Capital 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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Capital University vs. Cleveland State University comparison
Capital University Cleveland State University College 3 College 4
Capital University Cleveland State University
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Overview

Capital University Cleveland State
Location Columbus, OH Cleveland, OH
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 2,617 14,385
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #543 #769
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website capital.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Capital University Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $39,900 $12,144
Tuition (Out of State) $39,900 $17,359
Room & Board $12,308 $14,197
Avg Net Price $24,439 $15,719
Avg Grant Aid $28,469 $9,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 91%

Admission

Capital University Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,370 11,570
Admitted 3,153 9,872
Acceptance Rate 72.2% 85.3%
Enrolled % 16.4% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.63 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 18/25
SAT Range 960/1186 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 May 1, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Capital University Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Capital University Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 61% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,300 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 64% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

Capital University Cleveland State
% Men 40% 46%
% Women 60% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 75% 64%
% Black 10% 17%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Capital University Cleveland State
% In-State 94% 85%
% Out-of-State 4% 7%

Campus

Capital 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 Capital University based on total student enrollment (14,385 students vs. 2,617 students)

Capital University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

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

  • Capital University is 228.6% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($39,900.00 vs. $12,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 129.9% higher at Capital University than Cleveland State University ($39,900.00 vs. $17,359.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than Capital University ($15,719 vs. $24,439)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Capital University are 15.3% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($12,308 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Capital University than Cleveland State University (98% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Capital University students is 201.7% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($28,469 vs. $9,436)

Capital University vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Capital University (1133) is 105 points higher than at Cleveland State (1028)
  • Incoming Capital University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Cleveland State (22)
  • Accepted freshman Capital University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Cleveland State (3.31)
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Capital University (72.2%)

Capital University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Capital 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 Capital University.

  • The graduation rate at Capital University is higher than Cleveland State University (61% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Capital University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Cleveland State graduates after ten years. ($47,300 vs. $44,200)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Capital University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Capital University graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Capital University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

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