Central State University vs. LEC

Comparable Facts

Compare Central State University in Wilberforce, OH with Lake Erie College in Painesville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central State University is larger than LEC based on total student enrollment (2,708 students vs. 1,108 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central State University is located in Wilberforce, OH (Rural Fringe setting); Lake Erie College is in Painesville, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Central State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Erie College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central State University 16:1; Lake Erie College 12:1.

Central State University vs. LEC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central State University or LEC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central State University than LEC ($11,398 vs. $22,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central State University are 7.7% lower than at Lake Erie College ($12,026 vs. $13,036).
• Lake Erie College is 367% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central State University (about $29,576 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $8,058.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 274.2% higher at LEC than at Central State University (about $27,576 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $10,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Erie College than at Central State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Erie College students is 49.5% larger than aid received by Central State University students ($27,879 vs. $18,654).

Central State University vs. LEC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central State University or LEC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between LEC and Central State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Erie College (1030) is 170 points higher than at Central State University (860).
• Incoming LEC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Central State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central State University 770/950; Lake Erie College 945/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central State University 14/18; Lake Erie College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central State University - Test-free; LEC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: LEC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LEC students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Central State University (2.8).
• Central State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.6%) than LEC (70.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Central State University vs. 19.7% at LEC.

Central State University vs. LEC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central State University and LEC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Lake Erie College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Central State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Lake Erie College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Central State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,600 vs. $27,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lake Erie College graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Central State University graduates ($27,000 vs. $39,000).
• Among borrowers, LEC graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central State University graduates ($279 vs. $403).
• More LEC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 16%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.