University of the District of Columbia vs. Cleveland State

Deciding between University of the District of Columbia and Cleveland State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of the District of Columbia
Cleveland State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC
  • Cleveland State Cleveland, OH
  • Setting
  • University of the District of Columbia Large City
  • Cleveland State Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of the District of Columbia 4,202
  • Cleveland State 14,074
  • Type
  • University of the District of Columbia Public 4 Year
  • Cleveland State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Cleveland State #784
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Cleveland State -
  • Status
  • University of the District of Columbia Non-profit
  • Cleveland State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Cleveland State

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $5,662
  • Cleveland State $12,988
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,514
  • Cleveland State $18,510
  • Room & Board
  • University of the District of Columbia $17,224
  • Cleveland State $15,104
  • Average Net Price
  • University of the District of Columbia $12,895
  • Cleveland State $16,230
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia $7,883
  • Cleveland State $9,795
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of the District of Columbia 100%
  • Cleveland State 90%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • University of the District of Columbia Calculate
  • Cleveland State Calculate
  • Applied
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Cleveland State 11,050
  • Admitted
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Cleveland State 10,089
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • Cleveland State 91.3%
  • Enrolled
  • University of the District of Columbia Open
  • Cleveland State 15.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Cleveland State 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Cleveland State 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Cleveland State 3.31
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of the District of Columbia -
  • Cleveland State B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of the District of Columbia Unavailable
  • Cleveland State Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Cleveland State
  • ACT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Cleveland State 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Cleveland State 880/1130
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of the District of Columbia Open admission
  • Cleveland State Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027
  • Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of the District of Columbia 8:1
  • Cleveland State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of the District of Columbia
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Education (6%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)
  • Cleveland State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • Cleveland State 30%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of the District of Columbia $37,100
  • Cleveland State $44,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of the District of Columbia 28%
  • Cleveland State 47%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of the District of Columbia $22,000
  • Cleveland State $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of the District of Columbia $227
  • Cleveland State $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of the District of Columbia 35%
  • Cleveland State 45%
  • % Women
  • University of the District of Columbia 65%
  • Cleveland State 55%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of the District of Columbia Medium
  • Cleveland State Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Cleveland State No
  • % White
  • University of the District of Columbia 4%
  • Cleveland State 64%
  • % Asian
  • University of the District of Columbia 1%
  • Cleveland State 3%
  • % Black
  • University of the District of Columbia 62%
  • Cleveland State 17%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of the District of Columbia 10%
  • Cleveland State 5%
  • % Native American
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • Cleveland State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of the District of Columbia 0%
  • Cleveland State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of the District of Columbia 2%
  • Cleveland State 3%
  • % International
  • University of the District of Columbia 8%
  • Cleveland State 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of the District of Columbia 12%
  • Cleveland State 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 82%
  • Cleveland State 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of the District of Columbia 13%
  • Cleveland State 6%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Cleveland State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • Cleveland State No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of the District of Columbia No
  • Cleveland State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Cleveland State Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of the District of Columbia Yes
  • Cleveland State Yes
  • Learn More
  • University of the District of Columbia Details
  • Cleveland State Details

Comparable Facts

Compare University of the District of Columbia in Washington, DC 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 University of the District of Columbia based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 4,202 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of the District of Columbia is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
  • University of the District of Columbia 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 the District of Columbia 8:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

University of the District of Columbia vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of the District of Columbia 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 the District of Columbia than Cleveland State ($12,895 vs. $16,230).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 12.3% lower than at University of the District of Columbia ($15,104 vs. $17,224).
  • Cleveland State University is 129.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of the District of Columbia (about $7,326 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $5,662.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at Cleveland State than at University of the District of Columbia (about $5,996 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $12,514.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the District of Columbia than at Cleveland State University (100% vs. 90%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 24.3% larger than aid received by University of the District of Columbia students ($9,795 vs. $7,883).

University of the District of Columbia vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of the District of Columbia 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 University of the District of Columbia.

  • University of the District of Columbia reports an open admissions policy.
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCleveland State University 880/1130.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCleveland State University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of the District of Columbia - Open admission; Cleveland State - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of the District of Columbia Aug 1, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.

University of the District of Columbia vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of the District of Columbia 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).

  • Cleveland State University's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than University of the District of Columbia's (8%).
  • Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than University of the District of Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than University of the District of Columbia graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of the District of Columbia graduates ($222 vs. $227).
  • More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of the District of Columbia students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 28%)

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.