Cleveland State vs. Alvernia University

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

Cleveland State Alvernia University
Location Cleveland, OH Reading, PA
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 14,385 2,484
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #769 #739
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuohio.edu alvernia.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cleveland State Alvernia University
Tuition (In State) $12,144 $39,100
Tuition (Out of State) $17,359 $39,100
Room & Board $14,197 $14,030
Avg Net Price $15,719 $27,091
Avg Grant Aid $9,436 $25,757
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 100%

Admission

Cleveland State Alvernia University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,570 5,703
Admitted 9,872 3,365
Acceptance Rate 85.3% 59%
Enrolled % 16.8% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.41
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 880/1130 996/1170
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

Cleveland State Alvernia University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Health Professions (33%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Cleveland State Alvernia University
Graduation Rate 30% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $279

Diversity

Cleveland State Alvernia University
% Men 46% 35%
% Women 54% 65%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 64% 69%
% Black 17% 13%
% Hispanic 5% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

Cleveland State Alvernia University
% In-State 85% 72%
% Out-of-State 7% 25%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than Alvernia University based on total student enrollment (14,385 students vs. 2,484 students)

Cleveland State vs. Alvernia University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Alvernia University?

  • Alvernia University is 222% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($39,100.00 vs. $12,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 125.2% higher at Alvernia University than Cleveland State University ($39,100.00 vs. $17,359.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than Alvernia University ($15,719 vs. $27,091)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alvernia University are 1.2% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($14,030 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Alvernia University than Cleveland State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alvernia University students is 173% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($25,757 vs. $9,436)

Cleveland State vs. Alvernia University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cleveland State University (1028) is 30 points higher than at Alvernia University (998)
  • Incoming Cleveland State students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Alvernia University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Alvernia University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Cleveland State (3.31)
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Alvernia University (59%)

Cleveland State vs. Alvernia University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cleveland State or Alvernia 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 Alvernia University and Cleveland State.

  • The graduation rate at Alvernia University is higher than Cleveland State University (53% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Alvernia University earn on average $600 more per year than Cleveland State graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $44,200)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Alvernia University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Alvernia University graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More Alvernia University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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