Cleveland State vs. Chattanooga State Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Chattanooga State Community College based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 7,623 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Chattanooga State Community College is in Chattanooga, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chattanooga State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Chattanooga State Community College 15:1.

Cleveland State vs. Chattanooga State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Chattanooga State Community 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 Chattanooga State Community College than Cleveland State ($5,908 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chattanooga State Community College are 52.3% lower than at Cleveland State University ($7,200 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 172.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Chattanooga State Community College (about $8,216 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $4,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.2% higher at Cleveland State than at Chattanooga State Community College (about $754 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $17,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chattanooga State Community College than at Cleveland State University (92% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 34% larger than aid received by Chattanooga State Community College students ($9,795 vs. $7,311).

Cleveland State vs. Chattanooga State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State or Chattanooga State Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Chattanooga State Community College and Cleveland State.

• Chattanooga State Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Chattanooga State Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Chattanooga State Community College (3.0).

Cleveland State vs. Chattanooga State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and Chattanooga State Community College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Cleveland State University's six-year graduation rate is 30%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Chattanooga State Community College.
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Chattanooga State Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chattanooga State Community College graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($9,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Chattanooga State Community College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($98 vs. $222).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chattanooga State Community College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 31%)

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.