Cleveland State vs. Memphis

Comparable Facts

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

University of Memphis is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (20,276 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cleveland State vs. Memphis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Memphis? 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 Memphis than Cleveland State ($12,756 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Memphis are 24.9% lower than at Cleveland State University ($11,342 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 21.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Memphis (about $2,260 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $10,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Cleveland State than at University of Memphis (about $3,126 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $15,384.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Memphis than at Cleveland State University (92% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Memphis students is 20.4% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($11,793 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. Memphis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State or Memphis? 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 Memphis and Cleveland State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Memphis (1050) is 40 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Memphis (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; University of Memphis 915/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; University of Memphis 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Memphis - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; Memphis Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Memphis students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Memphis (72%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 18.1% at Memphis.

Cleveland State vs. Memphis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and Memphis? 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 Memphis's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Memphis graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Memphis graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,250).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Memphis graduates ($222 vs. $261).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Memphis students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 37%)

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.