Kean vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Kean University in Union, NJ 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 Kean based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 13,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kean University is located in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kean University 17:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

Kean vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kean 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 Kean University than Cleveland State ($12,708 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 17.3% lower than at Kean University ($15,104 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $1,311 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.3% higher at Kean than at Cleveland State University (about $3,936 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Kean University as at Cleveland State University (90% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 53.6% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($15,048 vs. $9,795).

Kean vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kean 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 Kean.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kean University (1040) is 30 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kean University 930/1150; 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: Kean - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Kean (3.2).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.7% at Kean vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Kean vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kean 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).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Kean graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.