Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Youngstown State based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 12,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); Youngstown State University is in Youngstown, OH (Small City setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Youngstown State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; Youngstown State University 20:1.

Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or Youngstown State? 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 Youngstown State University than Cleveland State ($12,757 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Youngstown State University are 22.3% lower than at Cleveland State University ($11,730 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Youngstown State (about $1,875 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $11,113.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.3% higher at Cleveland State than at Youngstown State University (about $7,037 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $11,473.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Youngstown State University than at Cleveland State University (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 16.3% larger than aid received by Youngstown State University students ($9,795 vs. $8,420).

Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State Admissions comparison

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

• Youngstown State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Youngstown State University (1120) is 110 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Youngstown State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; Youngstown State University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; Youngstown State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; Youngstown State - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; Youngstown State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Youngstown State students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Youngstown State (84.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 29.4% at Youngstown State.

Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and Youngstown State? 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).

• Youngstown State University's six-year graduation rate (35%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Youngstown State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $37,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Youngstown State graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Youngstown State graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Youngstown State students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 36%)

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.