UIC vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Illinois Chicago in Chicago, IL with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago 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 Illinois Chicago 17:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

UIC vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 Illinois Chicago than Cleveland State ($10,852 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 8.5% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($15,104 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $1,350 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.4% higher at UIC than at Cleveland State University (about $11,374 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at University of Illinois Chicago (90% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 71.1% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($16,755 vs. $9,795).

UIC vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 230 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming UIC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UIC students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

UIC vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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 Illinois Chicago's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $17,700 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.