Cleveland State vs. Bethany College

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Bethany College based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Bethany College is in Bethany, WV (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bethany College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Bethany College 12:1.

Cleveland State vs. Bethany College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Bethany College? 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 Cleveland State University than Bethany College ($16,230 vs. $19,035).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethany College are 12.5% lower than at Cleveland State University ($13,210 vs. $15,104).
• Bethany College is 183.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $23,777 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 98.6% higher at Bethany College than at Cleveland State University (about $18,255 more per year; $36,765.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethany College than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethany College students is 223.1% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($31,646 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. Bethany College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Bethany College (990).
• Incoming Bethany College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Bethany College 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Bethany College 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Bethany College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Bethany College (2.85).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Bethany College (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 27.3% at Bethany College.

Cleveland State vs. Bethany College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and Bethany College? 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).

• Bethany College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than Bethany College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $9,384 lower median loan debt than Bethany College graduates ($21,500 vs. $30,884).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethany College graduates ($222 vs. $319).
• More Bethany College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 47%)

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.