Central State University
#2 Best HBCUs for Education- Graduation Rate
- 24% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $33,267 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $13,096 B-
- 24% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 16.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best HBCUs for Education.
Every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $805,520.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 24% — 58% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.07% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Central State University Matters
Central State University is a public college in Wilberforce, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 2,620
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Criminal Justice, Psychology
Why students choose Central State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 99% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,096 a year after grants and scholarships — 24% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $33,267 ten years after enrolling — 18% below the typical college, against $30,739 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 26% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.01 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Central State University is a solid option for students looking for a welcoming environment with a high acceptance rate of 99%. It's a place where students can find their path in popular fields like Education, Business, Criminal Justice, Engineering, and Psychology. With an enrollment of about 2,620, students here can expect a close-knit community that encourages personal growth and academic exploration.
Looking beyond graduation, the average earnings after ten years for alumni sit at $33,267. While the graduation rate is relatively low at 24%, this figure doesn't tell the whole story. Many graduates find their footing in the workforce, and for those who do earn their degrees, the potential for upward mobility can be significant with the right support and opportunities.
When considering the financial aspects, the net price after aid is around $13,096, which can make it accessible for many students. However, the median debt is noted at $30,739, so it's important to weigh the long-term implications of that figure. Those who thrive at Central State often come with a sense of determination, seeking to make the most of the resources and connections available to them.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Central State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Central State University, located in Wilberforce, Ohio, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 16. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 56%
- ACT Midpoint
- 16
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,698
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
- Applicants
- 3,814
- Admitted
- 3,388
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central State University is $10,058, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,096. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,581 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $30,739 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,058
- Out-of-State
- $10,058
- Avg Net Price
- $13,096
- Median Debt
- $30,739
- Pell Grant Rate
- 53%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $19,581
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,161
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,773
- Family Income $110K+
- $10,187
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Central State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Central State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central State University report median earnings of $33,267, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $27,173
- 8 Years
- $29,380
- 10 Years
- $33,267
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.92x
- Earning > $25K
- 35%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (54)
- 14%
- 100% (54)
- 14%
- 100% (54)
- 14%
- 100% (54)
- 14%
How Central Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Central State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Central State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,096/year ($52,384 total). Graduates earn $33,267 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $857,904 in total earnings — a net gain of $805,520 (16.4× your investment). The median debt is $30,739, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 24% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $52,384
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $857,904
- Net Return
- $805,520
- ROI Multiple
- 16.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,096
- Median Debt
- $30,739
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 24%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Central State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Central State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.07%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 23.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $40,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.07%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 8.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 23.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $54,754
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $7,061,414
- Investment Income
- $-283,139
Top Programs
The fields Central State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 35% $33,427 early-career
- Education 25% $33,335 early-career
- Criminal Justice 13% $36,132 early-career
- Psychology 4% $29,935 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 2% $32,647 early-career
- Social Sciences 2%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
- Communications 1% $25,556 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Central State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Central State University, located in Wilberforce, Ohio, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 16. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central State University is $10,058, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,096. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $19,581 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $30,739 in federal student loans.
Is Central State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central State University report median earnings of $33,267, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Central State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Central State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.07%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 23.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 8.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $40,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Central State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Central State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.01, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.11), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Central State University.
- Alabama State UniversityMontgomery, AL · Close peer30% grad $34,502 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Bethune-Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, FL · Close peer29% grad $38,518 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- College of Coastal GeorgiaBrunswick, GA · Close peer26% grad $39,318 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Benedict CollegeColumbia, SC · Close peer23% grad $31,902 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Herzing University-MadisonMadison, WI · Close peer28% grad $36,909 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL · Close peer34% grad $44,391 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Central State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Central State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.01, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.11), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note