Cleveland State vs. Marshall University

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Marshall University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 11,958 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Marshall University is in Huntington, WV (Small City setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marshall University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Marshall University 16:1.

Cleveland State vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Marshall University? 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 Marshall University than Cleveland State ($8,076 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marshall University are 12% lower than at Cleveland State University ($13,292 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 41.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Marshall University (about $3,826 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $9,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at Marshall University than at Cleveland State University (about $1,832 more per year; $20,342.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marshall University than at Cleveland State University (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 37.3% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($13,448 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. Marshall University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Marshall University (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 Marshall University (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Marshall University 910/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Marshall University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Marshall University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; Marshall University Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 28.1% at Marshall University.

Cleveland State vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and Marshall University? 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).

• Marshall University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Marshall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $1,634 lower median loan debt than Marshall University graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,134).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marshall University graduates ($222 vs. $239).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 43%)

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.