GSU vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Governors State University in University Park, 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 GSU based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Governors State University is located in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Governors State University 11:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

GSU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU 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 Governors State University than Cleveland State ($12,756 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 22.3% lower than at Cleveland State University ($11,736 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU (about $984 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.2% higher at Cleveland State than at Governors State University (about $6,506 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at Governors State University (90% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Governors State University students is 16.9% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($11,455 vs. $9,795).

GSU vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU 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 GSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 60 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Governors State University 830/1060; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: GSU Apr 1, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.8% at GSU vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

GSU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU 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).

• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Governors State University graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($17,250 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, GSU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($178 vs. $222).
• More GSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.