Cleveland State vs. RIC

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

Cleveland State vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or RIC? 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 Rhode Island College than Cleveland State ($10,346 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 11.2% lower than at Cleveland State University ($13,414 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than RIC (about $1,688 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.5% higher at RIC than at Cleveland State University (about $8,789 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Cleveland State University (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 46.1% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($9,795 vs. $6,706).

Cleveland State vs. RIC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 10 points higher than at RIC (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Rhode Island College 870/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; RIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; RIC Mar 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at RIC (3.08).
• RIC has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 23.1% at RIC.

Cleveland State vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Rhode Island College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $300 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($21,200 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.