Cleveland Institute of Art vs. DeSales University

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

Cleveland Institute of Art DeSales University
Location Cleveland, OH Center Valley, PA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 566 2,919
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #295
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cia.edu desales.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cleveland Institute of Art DeSales University
Tuition (In State) $44,680 $43,000
Tuition (Out of State) $44,680 $43,000
Room & Board $12,520 $13,800
Avg Net Price $33,527 $30,524
Avg Grant Aid $29,439 $28,789
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Cleveland Institute of Art DeSales University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 963 3,636
Admitted 542 2,857
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 78.6%
Enrolled % 22.7% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.48 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/26 24/28
SAT Range 1060/1300 1090/1290
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 1, 2026

Academics

Cleveland Institute of Art DeSales University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (94%)
  • Health Professions (6%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Cleveland Institute of Art DeSales University
Graduation Rate 58% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,400 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $29,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $299 $268

Diversity

Cleveland Institute of Art DeSales University
% Men 1% 8%
% Women 1% 18%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 69% 75%
% Black 8% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 10% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 6%

Students

Cleveland Institute of Art DeSales University
% In-State 69% 66%
% Out-of-State 30% 34%

Campus

Cleveland Institute of Art DeSales University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • DeSales University is larger than than Cleveland Institute of Art based on total student enrollment (2,919 students vs. 566 students)

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland Institute of Art or DeSales University?

  • Cleveland Institute of Art is 3.9% more expensive to attend than DeSales University for in-state tuition ($44,680.00 vs. $43,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.9% higher at Cleveland Institute of Art than DeSales University ($44,680.00 vs. $43,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at DeSales University than Cleveland Institute of Art ($30,524 vs. $33,527)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland Institute of Art are 10.2% lower than costs at DeSales University ($12,520 vs. $13,800)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Cleveland Institute of Art as DeSales University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland Institute of Art students is 2.3% larger than aid received DeSales University ($29,439 vs. $28,789)

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. DeSales University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cleveland Institute of Art (1083) is 29 points higher than at DeSales University (1054)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Cleveland Institute of Art (24)
  • Accepted freshman Cleveland Institute of Art students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • DeSales University has a higher acceptance rate (78.6%) than Cleveland Institute of Art (56.3%)

Cleveland Institute of Art vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cleveland Institute of Art or DeSales 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 DeSales University and Cleveland Institute of Art.

  • The graduation rate at DeSales University is higher than Cleveland Institute of Art (69% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from DeSales University earn on average $11,700 more per year than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $39,400)
  • DeSales University students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates. ($26,000 vs. $29,000)
  • DeSales University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Cleveland Institute of Art graduates. ($268 vs. $299)
  • More DeSales University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland Institute of Art students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 62%)

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