Northwood University-Michigan vs. Cleveland State

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

Overview

 Northwood University-Michigan Cleveland State
Location Midland, MI Cleveland, OH
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 2,360 14,117
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #640 #780
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northwood.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northwood University-Michigan Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $31,400 $12,503
Tuition (Out of State) $31,400 $17,863
Room & Board $12,500 $14,760
Avg Net Price $26,429 $16,307
Avg Grant Aid $20,685 $10,148
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 88%

Admission

 Northwood University-Michigan Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,074 10,274
Admitted 1,740 9,810
Acceptance Rate 83.9% 95.5%
Enrolled % 19.6% 16.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/25
SAT Range 950/1160 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

 Northwood University-Michigan Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (93%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (1%)
  • Health Professions (1%)
  • Communication (1%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Northwood University-Michigan Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 53% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,500 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,775 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $225 $222

Diversity

 Northwood University-Michigan Cleveland State
% Men 9% 15%
% Women 7% 18%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 67% 64%
% Black 9% 17%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 3% 5%
% Unknown Race 13% 2%

Students

 Northwood University-Michigan Cleveland State
% In-State 83% 85%
% Out-of-State 15% 7%

Campus

 Northwood University-Michigan 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 Northwood University-Michigan based on total student enrollment (14,117 students vs. 2,360 students)

Northwood University-Michigan vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwood University-Michigan or Cleveland State?

  • Northwood University Michigan is 151.1% more expensive to attend than Cleveland State for in-state tuition ($31,400.00 vs. $12,503.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 75.8% higher at Northwood University-Michigan than Cleveland State University ($31,400.00 vs. $17,863.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cleveland State University than Northwood University-Michigan ($16,307 vs. $26,429)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwood University Michigan are 18.1% lower than costs at Cleveland State University ($12,500 vs. $14,760)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwood University Michigan than Cleveland State University (100% vs. 88%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwood University Michigan students is 103.8% larger than aid received Cleveland State University ($20,685 vs. $10,148)

Northwood University-Michigan vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cleveland State University (1028) is 2 points higher than at Northwood University-Michigan (1026)
  • Incoming Northwood University-Michigan students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Cleveland State (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northwood University-Michigan students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Cleveland State (3.31)
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than Northwood University-Michigan (83.9%)

Northwood University-Michigan vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwood University-Michigan 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 Northwood University-Michigan.

  • The graduation rate at Northwood University-Michigan is higher than Cleveland State University (53% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Northwood University Michigan earn on average $6,300 more per year than Cleveland State graduates after ten years. ($50,500 vs. $44,200)
  • Cleveland State University students graduate with a $275 lower median federal student loan debt than Northwood University-Michigan graduates. ($21,500 vs. $21,775)
  • Cleveland State graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Northwood University-Michigan graduates. ($222 vs. $225)
  • More Northwood University-Michigan graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 47%)

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