Cleveland State vs. LEC

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than LEC based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 1,108 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Lake Erie College is in Painesville, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lake Erie College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Lake Erie College 12:1.

Cleveland State vs. LEC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or LEC? 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 LEC ($16,230 vs. $22,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lake Erie College are 13.7% lower than at Cleveland State University ($13,036 vs. $15,104).
• Lake Erie College is 189.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $24,646 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.3% higher at LEC than at Cleveland State University (about $19,124 more per year; $37,634.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lake Erie College than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lake Erie College students is 184.6% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($27,879 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. LEC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lake Erie College (1030) is 20 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at LEC (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Lake Erie College 945/1115.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Lake Erie College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; LEC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; LEC Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at LEC (3.19).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than LEC (70.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 19.7% at LEC.

Cleveland State vs. LEC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Lake Erie College's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than LEC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than LEC graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than LEC graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More LEC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.