Cleveland State vs. Union

Should I go to Cleveland State University or Union Institute & University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cleveland State or Union is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

University of Dayton Kent State BGSU UC Ohio State WSU Gannon University Lewis University University of Akron Youngstown State Case Western Wright State
Cleveland State University vs. Union Institute & University comparison
Cleveland State University Union Institute & University College 3 College 4
Cleveland State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Cleveland State Union
Location Cleveland, OH Cincinnati, OH
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 14,117 787
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #780
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuohio.edu myunion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Cleveland State Union
Tuition (In State) $12,503 $13,880
Tuition (Out of State) $17,863 $13,880
Room & Board $14,760 $11,508
Avg Net Price $16,307 -
Avg Grant Aid $10,148 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 0%

Admission

 Cleveland State Union
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,274 -
Admitted 9,810 -
Acceptance Rate 95.5% Open
Enrolled % 16.2% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.31 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 880/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 Cleveland State Union
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 6:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (59%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Work and Family Studies (11%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Human Services (3%)

Outcomes

 Cleveland State Union
Graduation Rate 30% 9%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,200 $51,400
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $18,495
Median Loan Payment $222 $191

Diversity

 Cleveland State Union
% Men 15% 40%
% Women 18% 60%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 64% 36%
% Black 17% 18%
% Hispanic 5% 32%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 9%

Students

 Cleveland State Union
% In-State 85% 23%
% Out-of-State 7% 73%

Campus

 Cleveland State Union
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than Union based on total student enrollment (14,117 students vs. 787 students)

Cleveland State vs. Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Union?

  • Union Institute & University is 11% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($13,880.00 vs. $12,503.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.7% higher at Cleveland State than Union Institute & University ($17,863.00 vs. $13,880.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Institute & University are 28.3% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($11,508 vs. $14,760)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cleveland State University than Union Institute & University (88% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is ?% larger than aid received Union Institute & University ($10,148 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State or Union? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Union or Cleveland State .

Cleveland State vs. Union Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cleveland State or Union? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Union and Cleveland State.

  • The graduation rate at Cleveland State is higher than Union Institute & University (30% vs. 9%)
  • Graduates from Union Institute & University earn on average $7,200 more per year than Cleveland State graduates after ten years. ($51,400 vs. $44,200)
  • Union Institute & University students graduate with a $3,005 lower median federal student loan debt than Cleveland State graduates. ($18,495 vs. $21,500)
  • Union graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Cleveland State graduates. ($191 vs. $222)
  • More Union graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/