McDaniel College vs. Cleveland State

Should I go to McDaniel College or Cleveland State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McDaniel College 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 Stevenson University
McDaniel College vs. Cleveland State University comparison
McDaniel College Cleveland State University College 3 College 4
McDaniel College Cleveland State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 McDaniel College Cleveland State
Location Westminster, MD Cleveland, OH
Setting Small Suburban Large City
Enrollment 2,882 14,117
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #780
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcdaniel.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 McDaniel College Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $48,672 $12,503
Tuition (Out of State) $48,672 $17,863
Room & Board $12,594 $14,760
Avg Net Price $23,088 $16,307
Avg Grant Aid $39,979 $10,148
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 88%

Admission

 McDaniel College Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,856 10,274
Admitted 3,223 9,810
Acceptance Rate 83.6% 95.5%
Enrolled % 13.2% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.64 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/25
SAT Range 880/1130
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 McDaniel College Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 McDaniel College Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 74% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,400 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 81% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $279 $222

Diversity

 McDaniel College Cleveland State
% Men 10% 15%
% Women 32% 18%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 70% 64%
% Black 14% 17%
% Hispanic 6% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 6% 2%

Students

 McDaniel College Cleveland State
% In-State 71% 85%
% Out-of-State 27% 7%

Campus

 McDaniel College 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 McDaniel College based on total student enrollment (14,117 students vs. 2,882 students)

McDaniel College vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McDaniel College or Cleveland State?

  • McDaniel College is 289.3% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($48,672.00 vs. $12,503.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 172.5% higher at McDaniel College than Cleveland State University ($48,672.00 vs. $17,863.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than McDaniel College ($16,307 vs. $23,088)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDaniel College are 17.2% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($12,594 vs. $14,760)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McDaniel College than Cleveland State University (100% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McDaniel College students is 294% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($39,979 vs. $10,148)

McDaniel College vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at McDaniel College (1074) is 46 points higher than at Cleveland State (1028)
  • Incoming McDaniel College students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Cleveland State (22)
  • Accepted freshman McDaniel College students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at Cleveland State (3.31)
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than McDaniel College (83.6%)

McDaniel College vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McDaniel College 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 McDaniel College.

  • The graduation rate at McDaniel College is higher than Cleveland State University (74% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from McDaniel College earn on average $9,200 more per year than Cleveland State graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $44,200)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than McDaniel College graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than McDaniel College graduates. ($222 vs. $279)
  • More McDaniel College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/