Oakland vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oakland University is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (15,768 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Oakland vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakland 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 Oakland University than Cleveland State ($12,208 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakland University are 27.6% lower than at Cleveland State University ($10,932 vs. $15,104).
• Oakland University is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $2,274 more per year; $15,262.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.3% higher at Oakland than at Cleveland State University (about $4,678 more per year; $23,188.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oakland University than at Cleveland State University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oakland University students is 32.6% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($12,988 vs. $9,795).

Oakland vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakland 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 Oakland.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oakland University (1130) is 120 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oakland University 1030/1230; 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: Oakland - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Oakland students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Oakland (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at Oakland vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Oakland vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakland 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).

• Oakland University's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Oakland University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 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 Oakland graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Oakland graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Oakland 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.