Cleveland State University's published cost of attendance is $27,159, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $11,958 per year in net price — a figure that reflects the university's public-tuition structure and its commitment to serving cost-sensitive students.
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $27,159 |
| Tuition and Fees | $18,510 |
| Room and Board | $15,104 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$12,395 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $14,764 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $11,958 |
| $30–48k | $13,561 |
| $48–75k | $14,727 |
| $75–110k | $15,690 |
| $110k+ | $20,378 |
Cleveland State University's published cost of attendance is $27,159, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $11,958 per year in net price — a figure that reflects the university's public-tuition structure and its commitment to serving cost-sensitive students. Middle-income families pay around $14,727, and higher-income families pay approximately $20,378. Azimuth ranks Cleveland State University #349 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. For more on how sticker prices and net prices diverge, see the net price illusion. Cleveland State participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, including Pell Grants, Ohio need-based aid, and institutional scholarships. The university's urban public mission shapes its aid structure: a substantial share of students qualify for need-based assistance, and the net price for low-income families reflects that reach. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA, and Ohio residents may also benefit from state grant programs that further reduce out-of-pocket costs. The gap between sticker price and net price is most pronounced for lower-income families, where institutional and federal aid together cover a meaningful portion of total cost. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,797, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,998; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $61,322, median federal debt of $21,797 projects to a monthly payment of about $246 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Cleveland State University earn median earnings of $61,322 four years after enrollment, placing Cleveland State University in the 51.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure sits below the $56,249 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $7,828 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Cleveland State University in the 82.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures represent lifetime returns relative to OH's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $32,204, the state median earnings of working adults age 25–34 with only a high school credential. Cleveland State University's degree output leans toward Health, which accounts for 18% of graduates, followed by Engineering at 9% and Social Sciences at 8%. Nursing combines strong enrollment with solid earnings, making it a key contributor to the institution's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #204 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions , with 235 graduates earning median earnings of $46,090. Azimuth ranks Nursing #165 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 231 graduates earning median earnings of $82,201. Azimuth ranks Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions #36 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and Azimuth ranks Biology, General #239 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning median earnings of $53,898.
