Cleveland State vs. University of Charleston

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than University of Charleston based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 3,062 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); University of Charleston is in Charleston, WV (Small City setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Charleston is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; University of Charleston 15:1.

Cleveland State vs. University of Charleston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston ($16,230 vs. $20,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Charleston are 18.7% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,280 vs. $15,104).
• University of Charleston is 160.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $20,812 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.6% higher at University of Charleston than at Cleveland State University (about $15,290 more per year; $33,800.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Charleston than at Cleveland State University (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Charleston students is 166.8% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($26,132 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. University of Charleston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State or University of Charleston? 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 University of Charleston and Cleveland State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Charleston (1070) is 60 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at University of Charleston (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; University of Charleston 985/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; University of Charleston 19/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; University of Charleston - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at University of Charleston (3.13).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than University of Charleston (61.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 16.8% at University of Charleston.

Cleveland State vs. University of Charleston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and University of Charleston? 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).

• University of Charleston's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from University of Charleston earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,200 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Charleston graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($211 vs. $222).
• More University of Charleston graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.