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Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2214

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek lifeSports culture

Known for health sciences — excellent value

Cleveland State University is a public institution in Cleveland with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 980, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 9.1K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

49% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $52,131 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,065.

Established
1964
Mascot
Magnus
Type
Public research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

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95%Acceptance
980SAT Avg
9,077Students
16:1Student:Faculty
49%Grad Rate
$52,131Earnings 10yr
$16,065Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate95.5%

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
1725

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$12,613
Tuition (out-of-state)$17,973
Room & Board$14,760
Books & Supplies$900
Total Cost of Attendance$26,310
Average Net Price$16,065
Median Debt at Graduation$21,797
Monthly Payment (10yr)$231

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,058
$30–48K$14,122
$48–75K$16,697
$75–110K$19,512
$110K+$22,320

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

53.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

5.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,333

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

69

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

18

Burglary

4

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

6

Motor Vehicle Theft

7

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

18

Drug Arrests

14

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (160)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

69%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
9,077
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
38%
Pell Grant Recipients
39%

Race & Ethnicity

White 58%
Black 16%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 4%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 6%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate48.9%
Freshman Retention69.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$44,625
10 Years$52,131

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#342
vs 2024
Forbes
#196
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#217
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Fenn College

Basketball gameBasketballLacrosse

History & Fun Facts

  • History Public education in Cleveland was first started in 1870, when Cleveland YMCA began to offer free classes.
  • By 1921, the program had grown enough to become separate from YMCA, being renamed Cleveland YMCA School of Technology.
  • This is now regarded as Fenn College's founding date, although the college would not be formally renamed until 1929.
  • In 1964, the State of Ohio purchased the entirety of Fenn College's campus in downtown Cleveland and established a commuter college that targeted area residents.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

102Above Average

Estimated from OH state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Clevelandpop. 370K
1 mi(2 min)
Detroitpop. 640K
91 mi(158 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
114 mi(198 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CLE Cleveland11 mi
DTW Detroit100 mi
PIT Pittsburgh102 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA549 mi · ~15h 52m drive
New York, NY403 mi · ~11h 39m drive
Hartford, CT465 mi · ~13h 26m drive
Providence, RI530 mi · ~15h 19m drive
Albany, NY414 mi · ~11h 58m drive
Syracuse, NY302 mi · ~8h 43m drive
Rochester, NY237 mi · ~6h 51m drive
Buffalo, NY172 mi · ~4h 58m drive
Philadelphia, PA357 mi · ~10h 19m drive
Pittsburgh, PA114 mi · ~3h 18m drive
Harrisburg, PA264 mi · ~7h 38m drive
Newark, NJ394 mi · ~11h 23m drive
Washington, DC303 mi · ~8h 45m drive
Baltimore, MD307 mi · ~8h 52m drive
Atlanta, GA556 mi · ~16h 4m drive
Charlotte, NC436 mi · ~12h 36m drive
Raleigh, NC428 mi · ~12h 22m drive
Miami, FL1091 mi · ~31h 31m drive
Orlando, FL896 mi · ~25h 53m drive
Tampa, FL937 mi · ~27h 4m drive
Nashville, TN460 mi · ~13h 17m drive
New Orleans, LA926 mi · ~26h 45m drive
Richmond, VA355 mi · ~10h 15m drive
Chicago, IL308 mi · ~8h 54m drive
Detroit, MI91 mi · ~2h 38m drive
Minneapolis, MN630 mi · ~18h 12m drive
St. Louis, MO492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Kansas City, MO699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
Indianapolis, IN264 mi · ~7h 38m drive
Columbus, OH127 mi · ~3h 40m drive
Cleveland, OH1 mi · ~2 min drive
Milwaukee, WI336 mi · ~9h 42m drive
Dallas, TX1026 mi · ~29h 38m drive
Houston, TX1115 mi · ~32h 13m drive
Austin, TX1185 mi · ~34h 14m drive
San Antonio, TX1258 mi · ~36h 21m drive
Los Angeles, CA2046 mi · ~59h 6m drive
San Francisco, CA2163 mi · ~62h 29m drive
San Diego, CA2031 mi · ~58h 40m drive
Seattle, WA2021 mi · ~58h 23m drive
Portland, OR2051 mi · ~59h 15m drive
Denver, CO1225 mi · ~35h 23m drive
Phoenix, AZ1747 mi · ~50h 28m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1565 mi · ~45h 13m drive
Honolulu, HI4557 mi · ~131h 39m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Cleveland State University Application Checklist

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