Cleveland State vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 6,751 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Northeastern State University is in Tahlequah, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Northeastern State University 16:1.

Cleveland State vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or NSU? 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 Northeastern State University than Cleveland State ($12,410 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern State University are 26.4% lower than at Cleveland State University ($11,120 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 66.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $5,178 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $7,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at Cleveland State than at Northeastern State University (about $1,220 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $17,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at Northeastern State University (90% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 10.1% larger than aid received by Northeastern State University students ($9,795 vs. $8,893).

Cleveland State vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 10 points higher than at NSU (1000).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Northeastern State University 866/1136.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Northeastern State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (99.6%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 39% at NSU.

Cleveland State vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Cleveland State University's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than Northeastern State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($18,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($186 vs. $222).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.