Cleveland State vs. Ferrum College

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Ferrum College based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 763 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Ferrum College is in Ferrum, VA (Distant Rural setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ferrum College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Ferrum College 11:1.

Cleveland State vs. Ferrum College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Ferrum 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 Ferrum College ($16,230 vs. $20,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ferrum College are 12.4% lower than at Cleveland State University ($13,230 vs. $15,104).
• Ferrum College is 119.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $15,532 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.1% higher at Ferrum College than at Cleveland State University (about $10,010 more per year; $28,520.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ferrum College than at Cleveland State University (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ferrum College students is 251.6% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($34,444 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. Ferrum College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Ferrum College (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Ferrum College 880/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Ferrum College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; Ferrum College Sep 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Ferrum College (3.14).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Ferrum College (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 11.5% at Ferrum College.

Cleveland State vs. Ferrum College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and Ferrum 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).

• Ferrum College's six-year graduation rate (31%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than Ferrum College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Ferrum College graduates ($21,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ferrum College graduates ($222 vs. $289).
• More Ferrum College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.