Cleveland State vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

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

Kent State University at Kent is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

Cleveland State vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Kent State? 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 Kent State ($16,230 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 8.7% lower than at Cleveland State University ($13,794 vs. $15,104).
• Kent State University at Kent is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $244 more per year; $13,232.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.7% higher at Kent State than at Cleveland State University (about $4,572 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at Cleveland State University (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kent State University at Kent students is 2.9% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($10,076 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kent State University at Kent (1130) is 120 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Kent State (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Kent State (86.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

Cleveland State vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and Kent State? 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).

• Kent State University at Kent's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $4,325 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($222 vs. $267).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 46%)

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.