Cleveland State vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than CUW based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 5,253 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

Cleveland State vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or CUW? 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 CUW ($16,230 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Wisconsin are 12.6% lower than at Cleveland State University ($13,200 vs. $15,104).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 173.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $22,482 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.6% higher at CUW than at Cleveland State University (about $16,960 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at Cleveland State University (99% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 118.3% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($21,379 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. CUW Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming CUW students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• 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; Concordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; CUW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman CUW students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than CUW (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 14.1% at CUW.

Cleveland State vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and CUW? 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.

• Concordia University Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Wisconsin earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $2,425 lower median loan debt than CUW graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,925).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CUW graduates ($222 vs. $247).
• More CUW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.