Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH, USA
Public
4 Year

Overview

Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution with 14,000 students, 10 colleges and schools and more than 175 academic programs. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU is the only Ohio university in the top tier of the Brookings list. U.S News & World Report consistently lists CSU among America’s Best Colleges and Universities. Engaged Learning connects CSU students with 3,000 co-ops, internships and other experiential learning opportunities with employers in virtually every industry, ensuring they graduate fully prepared to succeed in their chosen professions. Our dynamic campus in the heart of downtown Cleveland continues to evolve. In 2018, we opened a striking addition to CSU’s Washkewicz College of Engineering and CSU’s new School of Film & Media Arts – the first standalone film school in Ohio – located on the top floor of the Idea Center at Playhouse Square.

Acceptance Rate:
85%
Average Net Price:
$16,007
Campus Setting:
Major city
Average GPA
3.4
Average ACT Composite
23
Average SAT Composite
1115

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability & Cost

Average Net Price
$16,007
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$12,613
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$17,973
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$14,760
Books and Supplies
$900
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$13,480
$30k - $48k
$14,540
$48k - $75k
$16,296
$75k - $110k
$17,959
$110k+
$18,950
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
49%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
38%
Average Aid Per Year
$9,436
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
38%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,469
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$6,558

 

Students receiving state aid
37%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$2273
Students receiving federal aid
48%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,469
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$52,779,336
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$7,216,709

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
49%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,999
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,315
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$212
Students receiving federal loans
48%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,014
Average Other Loans Per Year
$12,634

 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Major city
0
100
85%
Acceptance Rate
11570
Students Applied
96%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
812
Transfer Students Admitted

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes
Test Optional
Item is checked
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Item is checked
Yes
AP Course Credit
Item is checked
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Item is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Early Action Acceptance is not binding, but student will receive admissions decision earlier.May 1
Fall Regular DecisionAugust 15July 1
Application Fee
$40
Fee waivers available
Applications Accepted
Common Application
Common Application
Online Application
Online Application

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
85%
Out-Of-State Students
4%
40%
Submitting ACT
21%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 23
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1115
0
1600
SAT Percentiles

Math
25th
430
75th
560
Reading
25th
450
75th
570
3.4
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank

Top 10%
14
Top 25%
40
Top 50%
70
Students Enrolled By Household Income

< $30k
435
$30k - $48k
232
$48k - $75k
201
$75k - $110k
188
$110k+
189

Admissions Resources

Admissions: visit page
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Telephone: 216-687-5411
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
14,385
Total Number of Undergrads
9,776
0
100
27%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
48%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
16:1
US National: 21:1
Academic Calendar

Semester

Non Traditional Learning
  • Online Classes
  • Online Undergrad Degrees
  • Summer Sessions
  • Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
Learning Options
  • ROTC Army
  • ROTC Air Force
  • Study Abroad
  • Honors Program
  • Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
32%
20-39 Students
48%
40-99 Students
17%
100+ Students
1%
 

Degrees and Majors

MAJORS
113

Faculty Overview

0
100
41%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Male
Female
Ethnicity

African American
Asian/Pacific Islander
White
Hispanic
Multi-Racial

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
46%
54%
Residency
In-State Students
85%
Out-Of-State Students
4%
Size of Town
Major city
US States Represented
42
Countries Represented
109
Ethnicity
African American
17%
Asian/Pacific Islander
4%
Hispanic
9%
White
60%
Multiracial
4%
Unknown
1%
Percent of First Generation Students
38%
Student Organizations
223
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Item is checked
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Item is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
8%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
No
0
100
9%
Freshman Living on Campus

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Vikings
School Colors
forest green and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Total Male Athletes
162
Total Female Athletes
147
Intramural Sports
13
Sports Club
5
Sports Team (Men)
  • Basketball
  • Fencing
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
Sports Team (Women)
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Fencing
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball
Cleveland State University Athletics: visit page

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Item is checked
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Item is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$46,400
Top 5 Cities
Cleveland
Columbus
New York
Atlanta
Chicago
Top 5 Employers
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland State University
Progressive Insurance
University Hospitals
Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Top 5 Sectors
Operations
Education
Sales
Information Technology
Engineering
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$15,315
Loan Default Rate
6%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$212
Cleveland State has proved to me that you do not need to go to an Ivy League School to be challenged. When Cleveland State says that their students experience engaged learning, they really are telling the truth. The professors really want you to understand what they are teaching, which I personally enjoy.
India from Columbus, OH
All right all of you incoming freshmen, listen up!

Cleveland State University is a GREAT school. I am shocked at how much effort is put into helping out the students. This is only my second year in college, however, the professors that I have had so far have all been amazing. I feel that everyday I'm getting close with the faculty which is great because I can one day become a colleague of theirs. (Which would be a great.) Of course, some classes are much harder than others and a lot of work has to be put in in order to make the grade, but to work hard and have it all pay off is definitely worth it. There is always a lot of material to learn, but just keep focused and you'll come out on top.
Iddrisu from Seven Hills, OH
The campus is beautiful and the guidance office and counselors are so helpful. All of my AP credits transferred and going into my first year of college, I already have enough credits to be counted as a Sophomore! It's a wonderful school and I'm so confident in my ability to do well and still have a great education!
Megan from Mentor, OH
While CSU may not be the most widely talked about school, what it lacks in notoriety, it gains in education. While I am only going into my sophomore year, my first year has had so many engaging professors, all willing to help each student gain knowledge and grow. Most professors seemed to really care, and many pushed me to think in ways I never would have before. On top of that, being an athlete, all of the teachers were incredibly willing to accommodate to my schedule and help me learn the most I could with my time restrictions.
Alexandra from Cincinnati, OH
I love the professors i had this past semester. Each class was exciting and engaging. There was never a dual moment. When i had questions they were answered.
Rachel from Homeworth, OH
Cleveland State University is Full of opportunity and people who want you to succeed. CSU has so many student Clubs and activities going on that you may wonder if attend fun events might be a class. CSU also has wickedly awesome discounts with local museums and theaters, getting students into the best seats and places for very nominal prices, if not for free.
Sir Joshua from Cleveland, OH
Cleveland State University open house was soo good toda. They were so excitied to meet new students , show the dorms and caampus. I am so happy to be attending CSU in the fall of 2012.
Ashanti from Lyndhurst, OH
Cleveland State University is a University worth looking into. The professors are willing to help you in every way they can, if not in the class room they will help immensely during their office hours or on your time. Also, there is alway some kind of activity happening in the Student Center. So when a student has extra time or looking for a short break, the Student Center is the place to go! It is a friendly environment!
Monique from North Olmsted, OH
I am truly hoping to learn a lot at this school. I've heard wonderful things about the academics and the school itself. I can't wait for the new year to start up!
Alicia from Grafton, OH
can't wait to continue and start my sophomore year at csu. they have a lot to offer students and they are a very diverse campus.
Allison from Elyria, OH