Cleveland State vs. UWM

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (22,450 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 Wisconsin Milwaukee is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 17:1.

Cleveland State vs. UWM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or UWM? 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 UWM ($16,230 vs. $16,263).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee are 22.6% lower than at Cleveland State University ($11,684 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 24.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWM (about $2,590 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $10,398.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at UWM than at Cleveland State University (about $3,888 more per year; $22,398.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee than at Cleveland State University (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 54.3% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee students ($9,795 vs. $6,347).

Cleveland State vs. UWM Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Cleveland State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UWM (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; UWM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; UWM Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at UWM (3.16).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than UWM (90.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 23.8% at UWM.

Cleveland State vs. UWM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and UWM? 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 Wisconsin Milwaukee's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $3,458 lower median loan debt than UWM graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,958).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWM graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More UWM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.