WSU vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Wayne State University in Detroit, MI with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wayne State University is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (23,803 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wayne State University is located in Detroit, MI (Large City setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Wayne State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wayne State University 14:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

WSU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSU 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 Wayne State University than Cleveland State ($14,416 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State University are 5.6% lower than at Cleveland State University ($14,252 vs. $15,104).
• Wayne State University is 17% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $2,202 more per year; $15,190.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 73.1% higher at WSU than at Cleveland State University (about $13,527 more per year; $32,037.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State University than at Cleveland State University (98% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wayne State University students is 32.2% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($12,953 vs. $9,795).

WSU vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSU 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 WSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Wayne State University (1170) is 160 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming WSU 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: Wayne State University 1060/1270; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wayne State University 23/29; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSU - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSU Aug 1, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than WSU (81.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at WSU vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

WSU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSU 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 Wayne State University's (26%).
• Graduates from Wayne State University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $758 lower median loan debt than WSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,258).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSU graduates ($222 vs. $230).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 38%)

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.