Eastern Michigan University vs. Cleveland State

Should I go to Eastern Michigan University or Cleveland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Eastern Michigan University or Cleveland State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

University of Dayton Kent State CMU WSU Oakland BGSU Michigan State UC Ohio State Gannon University WMU Lewis University
Eastern Michigan University vs. Cleveland State University comparison
Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State University College 3 College 4
Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State
Location Ypsilanti, MI Cleveland, OH
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 14,018 14,385
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #828 #769
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website emich.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $14,500 $12,144
Tuition (Out of State) $14,500 $17,359
Room & Board $11,396 $14,197
Avg Net Price $15,826 $15,719
Avg Grant Aid $9,945 $9,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 91%

Admission

 Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 19,919 11,570
Admitted 16,578 9,872
Acceptance Rate 83.2% 85.3%
Enrolled % 13.1% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25 18/25
SAT Range 930/1180 880/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 40% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,600 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $263 $222

Diversity

 Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State
% Men 38% 46%
% Women 62% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 65% 64%
% Black 20% 17%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State
% In-State 78% 85%
% Out-of-State 11% 7%

Campus

 Eastern Michigan University Cleveland State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than Eastern Michigan University based on total student enrollment (14,385 students vs. 14,018 students)

Eastern Michigan University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eastern Michigan University or Cleveland State?

  • Eastern Michigan University is 19.4% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($14,500.00 vs. $12,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 19.7% higher at Cleveland State than Eastern Michigan University ($17,359.00 vs. $14,500.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than Eastern Michigan University ($15,719 vs. $15,826)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Michigan University are 24.6% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($11,396 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eastern Michigan University than Cleveland State University (95% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Michigan University students is 5.4% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($9,945 vs. $9,436)

Eastern Michigan University vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eastern Michigan University or Cleveland State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Cleveland State or Eastern Michigan University .

  • The average SAT score at Eastern Michigan University (1029) is 1 points higher than at Cleveland State (1028)
  • Incoming Eastern Michigan University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Cleveland State (22)
  • Accepted freshman Eastern Michigan University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Cleveland State (3.31)
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Eastern Michigan University (83.2%)

Eastern Michigan University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Eastern Michigan University or Cleveland State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Cleveland State and Eastern Michigan University.

  • The graduation rate at Eastern Michigan University is higher than Cleveland State University (40% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Cleveland State University earn on average $2,600 more per year than Eastern Michigan University graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $41,600)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Eastern Michigan University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,500)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $41 less per month on federal student loans than Eastern Michigan University graduates. ($222 vs. $263)
  • More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eastern Michigan University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/