Cleveland State vs. Wilberforce University

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Wilberforce University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Wilberforce University is in Wilberforce, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wilberforce University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Wilberforce University 12:1.

Cleveland State vs. Wilberforce University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Wilberforce University? 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 Wilberforce University than Cleveland State ($5,533 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilberforce University are 43.3% lower than at Cleveland State University ($8,564 vs. $15,104).
• Wilberforce University is 26.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $3,460 more per year; $16,448.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.5% higher at Cleveland State than at Wilberforce University (about $2,062 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $16,448.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilberforce University than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wilberforce University students is 105.6% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($20,143 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. Wilberforce University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 120 points higher than at Wilberforce University (890).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Wilberforce University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Wilberforce University 840/940.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Wilberforce University 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Wilberforce University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; Wilberforce University Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Wilberforce University (2.82).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Wilberforce University (40.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 8.2% at Wilberforce University.

Cleveland State vs. Wilberforce University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Cleveland State is the same as at Wilberforce University (30% vs. 30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than Wilberforce University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilberforce University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($20,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Wilberforce University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilberforce University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 39%)

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.