Cleveland State University

Cleveland State University admits 95.5% of applicants, meaning approximately 19 out of 20 applicants receive offers of admission. This places Cleveland State in the Open Access category, reflecting the university's mission to provide broad educational opportunity to diverse student populations.

The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates that Cleveland State is more accessible than typical four-year institutions, with an 11 percentage point higher acceptance rate. This open admissions approach aligns with the university's role as a regional comprehensive institution serving working adults, transfer students, and first-generation college students.

The high acceptance rate means that most academically prepared students can gain admission, though success depends more on academic preparation and program fit than admission selectivity. For prospective students, this accessibility creates opportunities to focus on program quality, cost considerations, and career outcomes rather than admission competition.

Students should evaluate whether Cleveland State's program offerings and outcomes align with their educational goals, as the primary barriers to success involve academic preparation and degree completion rather than admission selectivity. The university's open access model makes it particularly suitable for students seeking second chances, career transitions, or flexible educational pathways.

Cleveland State University's published cost of attendance is $26,310 per year, including $12,613 in-state tuition, $14,760 for room and board, and $900 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students pay $17,973 in tuition, increasing total costs to $33,633.

However, the average student pays $16,065 after financial aid, representing savings of $10,245 from the sticker price. This net price falls $1,972 above the peer median of $14,093, indicating higher costs than typical public regional universities.

The financial aid savings demonstrate substantial institutional commitment to affordability, covering nearly 39% of published costs on average. Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $13,058 for families earning under $30,000 to $22,320 for those earning over $110,000.

This progressive pricing structure reflects the university's mission to serve diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining educational quality. The $9,262 gap between lowest and highest income tiers shows meaningful income-based aid targeting.

Students should expect moderate costs relative to national averages but higher expenses than some regional public alternatives. The financial aid structure particularly benefits lower and middle-income families, making Cleveland State more accessible than sticker prices suggest.

Cleveland State graduates demonstrate consistent earnings progression over time. Median earnings grow from $44,625 six years after enrollment to $49,061 at eight years and $52,131 at ten years, representing 16.8% growth from the early to mid-career period.

These outcomes reflect a substantial ten-year cohort of 4,788 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures and indicating broad-based success across multiple academic programs. The university generates $5,869 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking at the 76.4th percentile nationally on this measure of educational value-added.

This uplift indicates that Cleveland State graduates earn more than predicted based on their incoming demographic characteristics and program choices. Low-income graduates earn $43,300, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Earnings range from $33,018 at the 25th percentile to $74,241 at the 75th percentile, a 2.2:1 ratio reflecting differences in career paths and field selection. Approximately 23.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.

Cleveland State offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis. Health/Medical Preparatory Programs ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Ohio, graduating 52 students with median earnings of $53,829 and an exceptional value score of 63.6.

Criminology ranks #28 nationally and #2 in Ohio, producing 76 graduates with median earnings of $44,047 and strong value performance. Advertising ranks #45 nationally and #1 in Ohio, graduating 119 students with median earnings of $43,214 and a value score of 39.7.

Digital Marketing ranks #132 nationally and #3 in Ohio, with 78 graduates earning $49,154 and demonstrating solid value at 39.9. Adult Health Nursing represents the university's largest program by enrollment, graduating 219 students annually with median earnings of $61,976.

Psychology serves 221 graduates with earnings of $36,874, reflecting the university's strength in serving diverse career preparation needs. Several programs hold flagship status at the institution, including Mechanical Engineering, Accounting Technology, and Banking and Financial Support Services.