UNK vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE 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 UNK based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney 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 Nebraska at Kearney 14:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

UNK vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNK 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 UNK ($16,230 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 19.2% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,198 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 49.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $4,312 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at Cleveland State than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $3,226 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (90% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($9,795 vs. $9,776).

UNK vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK 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 UNK.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is 10 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming UNK 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: University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNK - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at UNK (3.24).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than UNK (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at UNK vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

UNK vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNK 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 Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $800 more per year than UNK graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($21,250 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.