Central State University vs. Marshall University

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

Central State University Marshall University
Location Wilberforce, OH Huntington, WV
Setting Rural Fringe Small City
Enrollment 3,454 11,027
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1017 #825
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website centralstate.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Central State University Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $5,404 $7,372
Tuition (Out of State) $7,404 $18,724
Room & Board $11,390 $12,852
Avg Net Price $14,821 $9,734
Avg Grant Aid $6,318 $12,024
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 96%

Admission

Central State University Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,291 6,499
Admitted 1,514 6,269
Acceptance Rate 46% 96.5%
Enrolled % 37.9% 27.7%
Avg High School GPA 2.8 3.68
Typical High School Grades B- B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 14/18 18/24
SAT Range 770/950 890/1130
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 10, 2025

Academics

Central State University Marshall University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Central State University Marshall University
Graduation Rate 24% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $27,200 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 16% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $39,000 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $403 $239

Diversity

Central State University Marshall University
% Men 0% 9%
% Women 0% 17%
Racial Diversity Extremely Low Very Low
HBCU Yes No
% White 1% 84%
% Black 95% 7%
% Hispanic 1% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Central State University Marshall University
% In-State 47% 78%
% Out-of-State 44% 22%

Campus

Central State University Marshall University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Marshall University is larger than than Central State University based on total student enrollment (11,027 students vs. 3,454 students)

Central State University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central State University or Marshall University?

  • Marshall University is 36.4% more expensive to attend than Central State University for in-state tuition ($7,372.00 vs. $5,404.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 152.9% higher at Marshall University than Central State University ($18,724.00 vs. $7,404.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marshall University than Central State University ($9,734 vs. $14,821)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central State University are 12.8% lower than costs at Marshall University ($11,390 vs. $12,852)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marshall University than Central State University (96% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 90.3% larger than aid received Central State University ($12,024 vs. $6,318)

Central State University vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Marshall University (1028) is 251 points higher than at Central State University (777)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 7 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Central State University (16)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.88 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Central State University (2.8)
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Central State University (46%)

Central State University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central State University or Marshall University? 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 Marshall University and Central State University.

  • The graduation rate at Marshall University is higher than Central State University (44% vs. 24%)
  • Graduates from Marshall University earn on average $13,000 more per year than Central State University graduates after ten years. ($40,200 vs. $27,200)
  • Marshall University students graduate with a $15,866 lower median federal student loan debt than Central State University graduates. ($23,134 vs. $39,000)
  • Marshall University graduates are paying $164 less per month on federal student loans than Central State University graduates. ($239 vs. $403)
  • More Marshall University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central State University students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 16%)

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