CU Denver vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical 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 Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

CU Denver vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than Cleveland State ($14,831 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 2.2% lower than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ($15,104 vs. $15,442).
• Cleveland State University is 25.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $2,605 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.8% higher at CU Denver than at Cleveland State University (about $10,881 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (90% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 3.1% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($9,795 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver 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 CU Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (1100) is 90 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

CU Denver vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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 Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $310 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($21,190 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.