Nicholls State University vs. Cleveland State

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

 Nicholls State University Cleveland State
Location Thibodaux, LA Cleveland, OH
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 5,883 14,385
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #910 #769
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nicholls.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Nicholls State University Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $4,922 $12,144
Tuition (Out of State) $6,015 $17,359
Room & Board $10,602 $14,197
Avg Net Price $12,365 $15,719
Avg Grant Aid $9,310 $9,436
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 91%

Admission

 Nicholls State University Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,289 11,570
Admitted 2,253 9,872
Acceptance Rate 98.4% 85.3%
Enrolled % 43.1% 16.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.34 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/24 18/25
SAT Range 938/1130 880/1130
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Nicholls State University Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (19%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Personal and Culinary Services (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Nicholls State University Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 38% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,848 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $205 $222

Diversity

 Nicholls State University Cleveland State
% Men 35% 46%
% Women 65% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 64%
% Black 20% 17%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 Nicholls State University Cleveland State
% In-State 92% 85%
% Out-of-State 6% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than Nicholls State University based on total student enrollment (14,385 students vs. 5,883 students)

Nicholls State University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nicholls State University or Cleveland State?

  • Cleveland State University is 146.7% more expensive to attend than Nicholls State University for in-state tuition ($12,144.00 vs. $4,922.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 188.6% higher at Cleveland State than Nicholls State University ($17,359.00 vs. $6,015.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Nicholls State University than Cleveland State ($12,365 vs. $15,719)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nicholls State University are 33.9% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($10,602 vs. $14,197)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Nicholls State University than Cleveland State University (100% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 1.4% larger than aid received Nicholls State University ($9,436 vs. $9,310)

Nicholls State University vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Nicholls State University (1030) is 2 points higher than at Cleveland State (1028)
  • Incoming Nicholls State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Cleveland State (22)
  • Accepted freshman Nicholls State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at Cleveland State (3.31)
  • Nicholls State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.4%) than Cleveland State (85.3%)

Nicholls State University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Nicholls State University 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 Nicholls State University.

  • The graduation rate at Nicholls State University is higher than Cleveland State University (38% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Cleveland State University earn on average $1,600 more per year than Nicholls State University graduates after ten years. ($44,200 vs. $42,600)
  • Nicholls State University students graduate with a $1,652 lower median federal student loan debt than Cleveland State graduates. ($19,848 vs. $21,500)
  • Nicholls State University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than Cleveland State graduates. ($205 vs. $222)
  • More Nicholls State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 47%)

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