IWU vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana Wesleyan University Marion in Marion, IN 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 IWU based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 2,204 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is located in Marion, IN (Distant Town setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 12:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

IWU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU 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 Cleveland State University than IWU ($16,230 vs. $23,402).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion are 28% lower than at Cleveland State University ($10,868 vs. $15,104).
• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion is 149.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $19,364 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.8% higher at IWU than at Cleveland State University (about $13,842 more per year; $32,352.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University Marion students is 118.5% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($21,405 vs. $9,795).

IWU vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU 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 IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion (1070) is 60 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming IWU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 960/1180; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana Wesleyan University Marion 19/28; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IWU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than IWU (88.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17% at IWU vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

IWU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU 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).

• Indiana Wesleyan University Marion's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,300 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $2,604 lower median loan debt than IWU graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,104).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IWU graduates ($222 vs. $249).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.