Cleveland State vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Radford University 14:1.

Cleveland State vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or RU? 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 RU ($16,230 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 17.2% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,504 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $440 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 38.5% higher at RU than at Cleveland State University (about $7,123 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Cleveland State University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 21.2% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($11,870 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. RU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming RU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have the same average high school GPA (3.31) as students at RU (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 14.4% at RU.

Cleveland State vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than RU graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RU graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.