Cleveland State vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 3,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

Cleveland State vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University than Cleveland State ($11,055 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Virginia State University are 10.5% lower than at Cleveland State University ($13,522 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 35.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than WVSU (about $3,418 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $9,570.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.5% higher at Cleveland State than at West Virginia State University (about $3,520 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $14,990.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at West Virginia State University (90% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 8.9% larger than aid received by West Virginia State University students ($9,795 vs. $8,993).

Cleveland State vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 110 points higher than at WVSU (900).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at WVSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; West Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; West Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; WVSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at WVSU (3.24).
• WVSU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 5.5% at WVSU.

Cleveland State vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and WVSU? 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 West Virginia State University's (25%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than WVSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVSU graduates ($222 vs. $240).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 35%)

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.