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Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · City · 8,969 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$14,764
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
50%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$52,131
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
91%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Cleveland State University is an urban public research institution renowned for its career-focused education, with standout academic strengths in the Washkewicz College of Engineering, the Monte Ahuja College of Business, nursing, and the highly ranked Levin College of Public Affairs and Education. Rooted in its signature "EngagedLearning" model, CSU directly integrates students into the downtown economy through extensive co-ops, clinical rotations, and research partnerships with world-class neighbors like the Cleveland Clinic and regional Fortune 500 firms. The campus culture is pragmatic, diverse, and tightly connected to the surrounding city, offering a bustling metropolitan student experience just steps from the iconic Playhouse Square theater district.

Wikipedia: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".

Location
Cleveland, OH, 44115-2214 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
CLE · Cleveland
11 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$12,988$18,510
Housing & food (on campus)$15,104$15,104
Books & supplies$1,000$1,000
Cost of attendance$27,159$32,681 est.
Average net price$14,764Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$18,510
In-state: $12,988
Housing & food (on campus)$15,104
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$32,681 est.
In-state: $27,159
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $14,764
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$11,958
$30–48k
$13,561
$48–75k
$14,727
$75–110k
$15,690
$110k+
$20,378
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
50%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
34%
Back for yr 2
70%
Transferred
29%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
51% graduated · 32% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 16% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$44,625
10 yrs after entry$52,131
Debt
Median at graduation$21,797
Monthly payment$231
Middle 50% owe$6k–$26k
90th percentile$38,250
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
91%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard
ACT midpoint
23

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Essay prompts

If Cleveland State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 46%Women 54%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
16 : 1
Pell grant
41%
First-gen
38%
Family income
$33,556
Independent
32%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
17%
Race & ethnicity
White
56%
Hispanic
9%
Black
18%
Asian
4%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
6%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Fencing
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$44,625
After 10 yrs
$52,131
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing211
Psychology, General210
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions142
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication99
Business Administration, Management and Operations91
Biology, General85
Mechanical Engineering83
Marketing79
Film/Video and Photographic Arts72
Criminology69
Computer Science68
Civil Engineering66
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods65
Social Work63
Finance and Financial Management Services63
Accounting and Related Services60
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$118M
Full-time faculty
84%
Faculty salary
$9,480/mo
Teaching spend
$12,674
per student
Federal loans
74%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R2 — high research
$86M research spending · 35 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if Cleveland State University is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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