Cleveland State University
#5 Best Business Colleges in Ohio- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $52,131 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,764 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 91% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.3 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Business Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $21.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,197,559.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 28% above the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $21.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.3%
- Top 65%
- Patents
- 23
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 31
- Downstream influence
Why Cleveland State University Matters
Cleveland State University is a public research university in Cleveland, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 8,969
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Psychology
Why students choose Cleveland 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 91% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,764 a year after grants and scholarships — 14% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $52,131 ten years after enrolling — 28% above the typical college, against $21,797 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 42% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.16 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Cleveland State University is a solid choice for students looking for a welcoming environment to pursue their education. With an acceptance rate of 91%, it caters to a diverse group of learners, making it accessible for many. Students often find themselves engaging in popular programs like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Engineering, and Social Sciences, which are designed to prepare them for a variety of career paths.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $52,131 within a decade. This figure highlights a promising return on investment, especially when considering the affordability of the school. Many students here benefit from financial aid, which helps ease the burden of tuition and living expenses. While not every student graduates within the traditional timeframe, those who do often find themselves moving into stable careers that offer growth potential.
Looking at the numbers, the average net price after aid is approximately $14,764, which is manageable for many. The median debt load of $21,797 suggests that most graduates leave with a reasonable financial commitment. This school tends to thrive for those who are motivated and seek a balance between cost and educational quality, making it a fitting option for students who want to invest in their future without overwhelming debt.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Cleveland 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 Cleveland State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Cleveland State University, located in Cleveland, Ohio, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 84%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,480
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.64
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
- Applicants
- 11,570
- Admitted
- 9,872
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 Cleveland State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cleveland State University is $18,510, 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 $14,764. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,958 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,797 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $12,988
- Out-of-State
- $18,510
- Avg Net Price
- $14,764
- Median Debt
- $21,797
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 74%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,958
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,561
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,727
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,378
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Cleveland State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cleveland State University earn a median of $52,131, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,625
- 8 Years
- $49,061
- 10 Years
- $52,131
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.42x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (426)
- 27%
- 100% (426)
- 27%
- 100% (426)
- 27%
- 100% (426)
- 27%
How Cleveland 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 Cleveland State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Cleveland State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,764/year ($59,056 total). Graduates earn $52,131 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,256,615 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,197,559 (21.3× your investment). The median debt is $21,797, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $59,056
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,256,615
- Net Return
- $1,197,559
- ROI Multiple
- 21.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,764
- Median Debt
- $21,797
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
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 Cleveland State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cleveland 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 1.61%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.9% 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 14.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.61%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $72,700
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Cleveland State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 23 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.29%
- Top 65% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 23
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 31
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-16,936,324
Top Programs
The fields Cleveland State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 23%
- Health Professions 20%
- Engineering 9%
- Psychology 8%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Education 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Cleveland 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+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Cleveland State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Cleveland State University, located in Cleveland, Ohio, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cleveland State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Cleveland State University is $18,510, 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 $14,764. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,958 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,797 in federal student loans.
Is Cleveland State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Cleveland State University earn a median of $52,131, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Cleveland State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Cleveland 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 1.61%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.9% 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 14.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $72,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Cleveland State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cleveland State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.16, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.08). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Cleveland State University.
- Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg, PA · Close peer54% grad $52,416 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointStevens Point, WI · Close peer53% grad $52,021 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO · Close peer46% grad $54,659 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · Close peer41% grad $50,698 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TX · Close peer37% grad $51,865 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX · Close peer53% grad $49,634 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Cleveland State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Cleveland State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.16, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.08). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note