Dominican vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Dominican based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 3,803 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Dominican vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dominican or Cleveland 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 Dominican University than Cleveland State ($13,402 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University are 15.8% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,716 vs. $15,104).
• Dominican University is 200.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $25,990 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.6% higher at Dominican than at Cleveland State University (about $20,468 more per year; $38,978.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University students is 214% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($30,756 vs. $9,795).

Dominican vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 20 points higher than at Dominican (990).
• Incoming Dominican students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Cleveland State (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 880/1100; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University 16/26; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dominican - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Dominican Aug 31, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Dominican students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Dominican (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Dominican vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Dominican vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dominican and Cleveland 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).

• Dominican University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Dominican University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,000 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Dominican graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dominican graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Dominican graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.