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.
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Indiana Wesleyan University vs. Cleveland State University comparison
Indiana Wesleyan University Cleveland State University College 3 College 4
Indiana Wesleyan University Cleveland State University
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Overview

 IWU Cleveland State
Location Marion, IN Cleveland, OH
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 2,603 14,385
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #299 #769
Religious Affiliation Wesleyan - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website indwes.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 IWU Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $29,684 $12,144
Tuition (Out of State) $29,684 $17,359
Room & Board $10,050 $14,197
Avg Net Price $21,755 $15,719
Avg Grant Aid $20,194 $9,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

 IWU Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,946 11,570
Admitted 3,422 9,872
Acceptance Rate 86.7% 85.3%
Enrolled % 16.9% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 18/25
SAT Range 1000/1190 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

 IWU Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 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 34% 46%
% Women 66% 54%
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 (14,385 students vs. 2,603 students)

IWU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Cleveland State?

  • Indiana Wesleyan University is 144.4% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($29,684.00 vs. $12,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 71% higher at IWU than Cleveland State University ($29,684.00 vs. $17,359.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than IWU ($15,719 vs. $21,755)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana Wesleyan University are 41.3% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($10,050 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Indiana Wesleyan University than Cleveland State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana Wesleyan University students is 114% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($20,194 vs. $9,436)

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)
  • IWU has a higher acceptance rate (86.7%) than Cleveland State (85.3%)

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/