IWU vs. Cleveland State

Should I go to Indiana Wesleyan University or Cleveland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if IWU 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 BGSU UC Ohio State WSU Gannon University Lewis University University of Akron Youngstown State Case Western Taylor University
Indiana Wesleyan University vs. Cleveland State University comparison
Indiana Wesleyan University Cleveland State University College 3 College 4
Indiana Wesleyan University Cleveland State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 IWU Cleveland State
Location Marion, IN Cleveland, OH
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 2,207 14,117
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #236 #780
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website indwes.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 IWU Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $31,168 $12,503
Tuition (Out of State) $31,168 $17,863
Room & Board $10,554 $14,760
Avg Net Price $23,364 $16,307
Avg Grant Aid $19,595 $10,148
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 88%

Admission

 IWU Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,035 10,274
Admitted 2,495 9,810
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 95.5%
Enrolled % 20% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/28 18/25
SAT Range 970/1180 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, 2026

Academics

 IWU Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (56%)
  • Health Professions (22%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (3%)
  • Education (3%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (3%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 IWU Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 70% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,300 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,104 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $249 $222

Diversity

 IWU Cleveland State
% Men 2% 15%
% Women 4% 18%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 73% 64%
% Black 19% 17%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 IWU Cleveland State
% In-State 60% 85%
% Out-of-State 39% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than IWU based on total student enrollment (14,117 students vs. 2,207 students)

IWU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Cleveland State?

  • Indiana Wesleyan University is 149.3% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($31,168.00 vs. $12,503.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 74.5% higher at IWU than Cleveland State University ($31,168.00 vs. $17,863.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than IWU ($16,307 vs. $23,364)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University are 39.9% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($10,554 vs. $14,760)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University than Cleveland State University (100% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University students is 93.1% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($19,595 vs. $10,148)

IWU vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Indiana Wesleyan University (1086) is 58 points higher than at Cleveland State (1028)
  • Incoming IWU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Cleveland State (22)
  • 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 (95.5%) than IWU (82.2%)

IWU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, IWU 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 IWU.

  • The graduation rate at IWU is higher than Cleveland State University (70% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Indiana Wesleyan University earn on average $10,100 more per year than Cleveland State graduates after ten years. ($54,300 vs. $44,200)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $2,604 lower median federal student loan debt than IWU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,104)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans 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/