Cleveland State vs. American Public University System

Should I go to Cleveland State University or American Public University System? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cleveland State or American Public University System 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.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

University of Dayton Kent State BGSU UC Ohio State WSU Gannon University Lewis University University of Akron Youngstown State Case Western Wright State
Cleveland State University vs. American Public University System comparison
Cleveland State University American Public University System College 3 College 4
Cleveland State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Cleveland State American Public University System
Location Cleveland, OH Charles Town, WV
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 14,385 48,668
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #769
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website csuohio.edu apus.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Cleveland State American Public University System
Tuition (In State) $12,144 $6,840
Tuition (Out of State) $17,359 $6,840
Room & Board $14,197 $8,128
Avg Net Price $15,719 $11,172
Avg Grant Aid $9,436 $5,607
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 88%

Admission

 Cleveland State American Public University System
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,570 -
Admitted 9,872 -
Acceptance Rate 85.3% Open
Enrolled % 16.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.31 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 880/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Cleveland State American Public University System
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 24:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (23%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
  • General Studies (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

 Cleveland State American Public University System
Graduation Rate 30% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 N/A
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $19,998
Median Loan Payment $222 $206

Diversity

 Cleveland State American Public University System
% Men 46% 64%
% Women 54% 36%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 64% 57%
% Black 17% 19%
% Hispanic 5% 11%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 6%

Students

 Cleveland State American Public University System
% In-State 85% 1%
% Out-of-State 7% 97%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • American Public University System is larger than than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (48,668 students vs. 14,385 students)

Cleveland State vs. American Public University System Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or American Public University System?

  • Cleveland State University is 77.5% more expensive to attend than American Public University System for in-state tuition ($12,144.00 vs. $6,840.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 153.8% higher at Cleveland State than American Public University System ($17,359.00 vs. $6,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at American Public University System than Cleveland State ($11,172 vs. $15,719)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American Public University System are 74.7% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($8,128 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cleveland State University than American Public University System (91% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 68.3% larger than aid received American Public University System ($9,436 vs. $5,607)

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

Cleveland State vs. American Public University System Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cleveland State or American Public University System? 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 American Public University System and Cleveland State.

  • American Public University System students graduate with a $1,502 lower median federal student loan debt than Cleveland State graduates. ($19,998 vs. $21,500)
  • American Public University System graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans than Cleveland State graduates. ($206 vs. $222)
  • More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former American Public University System students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 23%)

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