Cleveland State vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than University of Houston-Downtown based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 13,730 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

Cleveland State vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown than Cleveland State ($10,832 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 32.6% lower than at Cleveland State University ($10,176 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 68.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $5,280 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Cleveland State than at University of Houston Downtown (about $962 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at University of Houston Downtown (90% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 4.7% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($10,257 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

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

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 20 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

Cleveland State vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 41%)

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.