Saginaw Valley State University vs. Cleveland State

Deciding between Saginaw Valley State University and Cleveland State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Saginaw Valley State University
Cleveland State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI
  • Cleveland State Cleveland, OH
  • Setting
  • Saginaw Valley State University Rural Fringe
  • Cleveland State Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Saginaw Valley State University 6,822
  • Cleveland State 14,074
  • Type
  • Saginaw Valley State University Public 4 Year
  • Cleveland State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Saginaw Valley State University #860
  • Cleveland State #784
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Saginaw Valley State University -
  • Cleveland State -
  • Status
  • Saginaw Valley State University Non-profit
  • Cleveland State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Saginaw Valley State University
  • Cleveland State
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Saginaw Valley State University $12,930
  • Cleveland State $12,988
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Saginaw Valley State University $30,450
  • Cleveland State $18,510
  • Room & Board
  • Saginaw Valley State University $12,340
  • Cleveland State $15,104
  • Average Net Price
  • Saginaw Valley State University $11,546
  • Cleveland State $16,230
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Saginaw Valley State University $13,512
  • Cleveland State $9,795
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Saginaw Valley State University 98%
  • Cleveland State 90%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Saginaw Valley State University 11,816
  • Cleveland State 11,050
  • Admitted
  • Saginaw Valley State University 8,516
  • Cleveland State 10,089
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Saginaw Valley State University 72.1%
  • Cleveland State 91.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Saginaw Valley State University 16%
  • Cleveland State 15.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Saginaw Valley State University 1050
  • Cleveland State 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Saginaw Valley State University 22
  • Cleveland State 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Saginaw Valley State University 3.48
  • Cleveland State 3.31
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Saginaw Valley State University B+
  • Cleveland State B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Saginaw Valley State University Easy
  • Cleveland State Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Saginaw Valley State University Low
  • Cleveland State
  • ACT Range
  • Saginaw Valley State University 18/26
  • Cleveland State 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170
  • Cleveland State 880/1130
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Saginaw Valley State University Test optional
  • Cleveland State Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Saginaw Valley State University
  • Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Saginaw Valley State University 16:1
  • Cleveland State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Saginaw Valley State University
    • Education (18%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Human Services (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Cleveland State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Saginaw Valley State University 39%
  • Cleveland State 30%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Saginaw Valley State University $41,000
  • Cleveland State $44,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Saginaw Valley State University 48%
  • Cleveland State 47%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Saginaw Valley State University $27,000
  • Cleveland State $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Saginaw Valley State University $279
  • Cleveland State $222
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Saginaw Valley State University 35%
  • Cleveland State 45%
  • % Women
  • Saginaw Valley State University 65%
  • Cleveland State 55%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Saginaw Valley State University Low
  • Cleveland State Medium
  • HBCU
  • Saginaw Valley State University No
  • Cleveland State No
  • % White
  • Saginaw Valley State University 71%
  • Cleveland State 64%
  • % Asian
  • Saginaw Valley State University 1%
  • Cleveland State 3%
  • % Black
  • Saginaw Valley State University 9%
  • Cleveland State 17%
  • % Hispanic
  • Saginaw Valley State University 4%
  • Cleveland State 5%
  • % Native American
  • Saginaw Valley State University 0%
  • Cleveland State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Saginaw Valley State University 0%
  • Cleveland State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Saginaw Valley State University 2%
  • Cleveland State 3%
  • % International
  • Saginaw Valley State University 8%
  • Cleveland State 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Saginaw Valley State University 6%
  • Cleveland State 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Saginaw Valley State University 94%
  • Cleveland State 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Saginaw Valley State University 3%
  • Cleveland State 6%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI 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 Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
  • Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University than Cleveland State ($11,546 vs. $16,230).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 18.3% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,340 vs. $15,104).
  • Cleveland State University is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saginaw Valley State University (about $58 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $12,930.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 64.5% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at Cleveland State University (about $11,940 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $18,510.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at Cleveland State University (98% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 37.9% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($13,512 vs. $9,795).

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saginaw Valley State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
  • Incoming Saginaw Valley State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 18/26; Cleveland State University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saginaw Valley State 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).

  • Saginaw Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
  • Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($222 vs. $279).
  • More Saginaw Valley State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.