WMU vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

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

Western Michigan University is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

WMU vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WMU 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 WMU ($16,230 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 19.4% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,174 vs. $15,104).
• Western Michigan University is 17.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $2,264 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at WMU than at Cleveland State University (about $524 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Michigan University than at Cleveland State University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 12.8% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($11,048 vs. $9,795).

WMU vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU 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 WMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 100 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming WMU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 990/1220; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Western Michigan University 20/27; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WMU - Test-free; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than WMU (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at WMU vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

WMU vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WMU 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).

• Western Michigan University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $5,133 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($222 vs. $275).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.