Cleveland State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 8,969 students.
About This School
Cleveland State University is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio with approximately 8,969 undergraduate students enrolled. Cleveland State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 91%. The average net price after financial aid is $14,764 per year. The graduation rate is 51%, and the typical graduate earns $46,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Cleveland State University (CSU) is a public research university in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It was established in 1964 and opened for classes in 1965 after acquiring the entirety of Fenn College, a private school that had been in operation since 1923. CSU absorbed the Cleveland-Marshall School of Law in 1969. Today it is part of the University System of Ohio, has more than 120,000 alumni, and offers over 200 academic programs amongst eight colleges. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $16,065/year average net cost and only $15,333 in median debt at graduation, CSU is genuinely affordable — and for Cleveland-area students who want access to a research university with over 200 programs without relocating, it's a practical choice. The concern worth naming is the 49% graduation rate and 69% freshman retention, which suggest many students struggle to finish — so ask hard questions about support services and your specific program's outcomes before committing. If you're self-motivated, career-focused, and want to stay in the Ohio job market, the $46,400 median earnings at 10 years are reasonable given the low debt load, but this school rewards students who show up with a plan.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 15% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (8,969 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Ohio
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH · Public
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH · Public
Ohio University
Athens, OH · Public
Kent State University at Kent
Kent, OH · Public
Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH · Public
Miami University-Oxford
Oxford, OH · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.