Cleveland State vs. Salem University

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Salem University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 1,083 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Salem University is in Salem, WV (Distant Rural setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salem University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Salem University 19:1.

Cleveland State vs. Salem University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Salem 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 Salem University than Cleveland State ($10,231 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem University are 44.4% lower than at Cleveland State University ($8,400 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salem University (about $1,088 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.5% higher at Cleveland State than at Salem University (about $6,610 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $11,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem University than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 14.3% larger than aid received by Salem University students ($9,795 vs. $8,569).

Cleveland State vs. Salem University Admissions comparison

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

• Salem University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• 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; Salem University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.

Cleveland State vs. Salem University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and Salem 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).

• Cleveland State University's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than Salem University's (14%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Salem University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $5,118 lower median loan debt than Salem University graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,618).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem University graduates ($222 vs. $275).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 27%)

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.