Northeastern Illinois University vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, IL 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 Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 5,734 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern Illinois University 9:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University 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 Northeastern Illinois University than Cleveland State ($14,140 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 31.2% lower than at Cleveland State University ($10,390 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern Illinois University (about $605 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $12,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.8% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than at Cleveland State University (about $4,216 more per year; $22,726.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at Northeastern Illinois University (90% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 31.5% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($12,876 vs. $9,795).

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois University 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 Northeastern Illinois University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 100 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (910).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Northeastern Illinois University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 810/1010; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northeastern Illinois University 15/21; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Northeastern Illinois University (74.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.5% at Northeastern Illinois University vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Northeastern Illinois University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northeastern Illinois University 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).

• Cleveland State University's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than Northeastern Illinois University's (23%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $40,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($14,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Northeastern Illinois University graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($149 vs. $222).
• More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.