Eastern vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

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

Eastern Kentucky University is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (15,673 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, KY (Distant Town setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Eastern Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Kentucky University 17:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

Eastern vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern 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 Eastern Kentucky University than Cleveland State ($12,279 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Kentucky University are 18.8% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,268 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 25.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Eastern (about $2,668 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $10,320.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Eastern than at Cleveland State University (about $2,720 more per year; $21,230.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Kentucky University than at Cleveland State University (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Kentucky University students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($11,468 vs. $9,795).

Eastern vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern 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 Eastern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 30 points higher than at Eastern (980).
• Incoming Eastern 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: Eastern Kentucky University 880/1080; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Kentucky University 19/25; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eastern - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Eastern Aug 1, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Eastern students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Eastern (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Eastern vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Eastern vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eastern 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).

• Eastern Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Eastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $2,195 lower median loan debt than Eastern graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,695).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eastern graduates ($222 vs. $245).
• More Eastern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (49% 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.