CSU vs. Cleveland State

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

 CSU Cleveland State
Location Chicago, IL Cleveland, OH
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 2,317 14,385
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #870 #769
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csu.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $7,656 $12,144
Tuition (Out of State) $7,656 $17,359
Room & Board $13,800 $14,197
Avg Net Price $6,446 $15,719
Avg Grant Aid $15,891 $9,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 91%

Admission

 CSU Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,404 11,570
Admitted 3,592 9,872
Acceptance Rate 48.5% 85.3%
Enrolled % 4.8% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.18 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 15/19 18/25
SAT Range 750/963 880/1130
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

 CSU Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (31%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 CSU Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 21% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,300 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 25% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $31,250 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $323 $222

Diversity

 CSU Cleveland State
% Men 33% 46%
% Women 67% 54%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 3% 64%
% Black 75% 17%
% Hispanic 8% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 12% 2%

Students

 CSU Cleveland State
% In-State 77% 85%
% Out-of-State 20% 7%

Campus

 CSU Cleveland State
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

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than CSU based on total student enrollment (14,385 students vs. 2,317 students)

CSU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Cleveland State?

  • Cleveland State University is 58.6% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($12,144.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 126.7% higher at Cleveland State than Chicago State University ($17,359.00 vs. $7,656.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than Cleveland State ($6,446 vs. $15,719)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 2.9% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($13,800 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Chicago State University than Cleveland State University (93% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 68.4% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($15,891 vs. $9,436)

CSU vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cleveland State University (1028) is 153 points higher than at CSU (875)
  • Incoming Cleveland State students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at CSU (18)
  • Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CSU (3.18)
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than CSU (48.5%)

CSU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU 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 CSU.

  • The graduation rate at Cleveland State is higher than Chicago State University (30% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Cleveland State University earn on average $5,900 more per year than CSU graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $38,300)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $9,750 lower median federal student loan debt than CSU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $31,250)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $101 less per month on federal student loans than CSU graduates. ($222 vs. $323)
  • More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 25%)

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