UC vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

UC vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 UC ($16,230 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 10.2% lower than at Cleveland State University ($13,564 vs. $15,104).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $988 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at UC than at Cleveland State University (about $10,800 more per year; $29,310.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (90% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 19.5% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($9,795 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 260 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming UC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than UC (85.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

UC vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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).

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from University of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,600 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More UC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.