Cleveland State vs. Central Washington University

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH with Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 10,811 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Central Washington University is in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Central Washington University 15:1.

Cleveland State vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Central Washington University? 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 Central Washington University ($16,230 vs. $19,898).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 8.3% lower than at Central Washington University ($15,104 vs. $16,480).
• Cleveland State University is 37.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Washington University (about $3,571 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $9,417.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.7% higher at Central Washington University than at Cleveland State University (about $9,016 more per year; $27,526.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at Central Washington University (90% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 11.1% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($9,795 vs. $8,816).

Cleveland State vs. Central Washington University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State or Central Washington University? 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 Central Washington University and Cleveland State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Washington University (1040) is 30 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Central Washington University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Central Washington University 930/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Central Washington University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Central Washington University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Central Washington University (3.08).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Central Washington University (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 20% at Central Washington University.

Cleveland State vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and Central Washington University? 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).

• Central Washington University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Central Washington University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $763 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($20,737 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.