Spalding vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Spalding University in Louisville, KY 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 Spalding based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 1,553 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Spalding vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spalding 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 Cleveland State University than Spalding ($16,230 vs. $25,999).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spalding University are 35.7% lower than at Cleveland State University ($9,710 vs. $15,104).
• Spalding University is 124.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $16,212 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.8% higher at Spalding than at Cleveland State University (about $10,690 more per year; $29,200.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spalding University than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spalding University students is 98.4% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($19,429 vs. $9,795).

Spalding vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spalding 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 Spalding.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is 50 points higher than at Spalding (960).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at Spalding).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 875/1038; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Spalding University 15/22; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spalding - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spalding students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Spalding has a higher acceptance rate (99.4%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Spalding vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Spalding vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spalding 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).

• Spalding University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Spalding University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 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 Spalding graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spalding graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spalding students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 44%)

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.