Cleveland State vs. Kent State University at Salem

Should I go to Cleveland State University or Kent State University at Salem? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cleveland State or Kent State University at Salem is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Cleveland State University vs. Kent State University at Salem comparison
Cleveland State University Kent State University at Salem College 3 College 4
Cleveland State University
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Overview

Cleveland State Kent State University at Salem
Location Cleveland, OH Salem, OH
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 14,385 1,315
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #769
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuohio.edu kent.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cleveland State Kent State University at Salem
Tuition (In State) $12,144 $6,962
Tuition (Out of State) $17,359 $16,068
Room & Board $14,197 $8,882
Avg Net Price $15,719 $10,324
Avg Grant Aid $9,436 $5,185
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 87%

Admission

Cleveland State Kent State University at Salem
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,570 -
Admitted 9,872 -
Acceptance Rate 85.3% Open
Enrolled % 16.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.27
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 880/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Cleveland State Kent State University at Salem
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Health Professions (50%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Cleveland State Kent State University at Salem
Graduation Rate 30% 19%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $25,825
Median Loan Payment $222 $267

Diversity

Cleveland State Kent State University at Salem
% Men 46% 28%
% Women 54% 72%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 64% 88%
% Black 17% 4%
% Hispanic 5% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Cleveland State Kent State University at Salem
% In-State 85% 100%
% Out-of-State 7% 0%

Campus

Cleveland State Kent State University at Salem
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than Kent State University at Salem based on total student enrollment (14,385 students vs. 1,315 students)

Cleveland State vs. Kent State University at Salem Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Kent State University at Salem?

  • Cleveland State University is 74.4% more expensive to attend than Kent State University at Salem for in-state tuition ($12,144.00 vs. $6,962.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 8% higher at Cleveland State than Kent State University at Salem ($17,359.00 vs. $16,068.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kent State University at Salem than Cleveland State ($10,324 vs. $15,719)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Salem are 59.8% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($8,882 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cleveland State University than Kent State University at Salem (91% vs. 87%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 82% larger than aid received Kent State University at Salem ($9,436 vs. $5,185)

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State or Kent State University at Salem? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Kent State University at Salem or Cleveland State .

  • Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Kent State University at Salem (3.27)

Cleveland State vs. Kent State University at Salem Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cleveland State or Kent State University at Salem? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Kent State University at Salem and Cleveland State.

  • The graduation rate at Cleveland State is higher than Kent State University at Salem (30% vs. 19%)
  • Graduates from Cleveland State University earn on average $3,900 more per year than Kent State University at Salem graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $40,300)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $4,325 lower median federal student loan debt than Kent State University at Salem graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,825)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $45 less per month on federal student loans than Kent State University at Salem graduates. ($222 vs. $267)
  • More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State University at Salem 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/