CSU vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

CSU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Cleveland State? 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 Chicago State University than Cleveland State ($10,441 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 23.5% lower than at Cleveland State University ($11,550 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $234 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.1% higher at Cleveland State than at Chicago State University (about $5,756 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Cleveland State University (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 85.7% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($18,194 vs. $9,795).

CSU vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 150 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• 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 (91.3%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

CSU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Cleveland State? 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).

• Cleveland State University's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.