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.

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Cleveland State University vs. Union Institute & University comparison
Cleveland State University Union Institute & University College 3 College 4
Cleveland State University
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Overview

Cleveland State Union
Location Cleveland, OH Cincinnati, OH
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 14,385 787
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #769
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuohio.edu myunion.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cleveland State Union
Tuition (In State) $12,144 $16,841
Tuition (Out of State) $17,359 $16,841
Room & Board $14,197 $11,508
Avg Net Price $15,719 $28,463
Avg Grant Aid $9,436 $3,217
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 100%

Admission

Cleveland State Union
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,570 -
Admitted 9,872 -
Acceptance Rate 85.3% Open
Enrolled % 16.8% 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, 2025

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 46% 40%
% Women 54% 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 (14,385 students vs. 787 students)

Cleveland State vs. Union Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Union?

  • Union Institute & University is 38.7% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($16,841.00 vs. $12,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.1% higher at Cleveland State than Union Institute & University ($17,359.00 vs. $16,841.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than Union ($15,719 vs. $28,463)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Union Institute & University are 23.4% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($11,508 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Union Institute & University than Cleveland State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 193.3% larger than aid received Union Institute & University ($9,436 vs. $3,217)

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/