Cleveland State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Cleveland, Ohio · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Cleveland State University is a public university in Cleveland, Ohio that admits about 95% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $14,764 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 8.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Cleveland State University is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. For the most recent reporting cycle, Cleveland State University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 95%. Admitted students typically post an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,764 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Cleveland State University?
Cleveland State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores Cleveland State University typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
| 25th percentile | 17 |
| 50th percentile | 23 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
| % submitting ACT | 33% |
How much does Cleveland State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $12,988 for in-state students and $18,510 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,104 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $14,764 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 41% of students receive Pell Grants.
Most popular majors at Cleveland State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Cleveland State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. Across all programs, Cleveland State University confers roughly 1,110 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $41,670 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 235 | $41,670 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 231 | $67,850 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 153 | — |
| Biology, General | 109 | $49,572 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 102 | $52,698 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 99 | $75,073 |
| Marketing | 95 | $56,886 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 86 | $83,818 |
Is Cleveland State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Cleveland State University disclosed 72 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 14 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Ohio parents ask about
- Kenyon College31% acceptance
- Oberlin College34% acceptance
- Denison University17% acceptance
- College of Wooster60% acceptance
- Ohio Wesleyan University56% acceptance
- Ohio State University-Main Campus61% acceptance
- University of Cincinnati-Main Campus85% acceptance
- Case Western Reserve University37% acceptance
Next steps for Cleveland State University
Common questions parents ask about Cleveland State University
What GPA do I need for Cleveland State University?
Cleveland State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Cleveland State University typically admit?
Cleveland State University does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does Cleveland State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Cleveland State University after grants and scholarships is $14,764 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $12,988 and $18,510 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Cleveland State University realistic for my child?
Cleveland State University admits 95% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $14,764 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Cleveland State University?
Cleveland State University accepts about 95% of applicants out of roughly 10,274 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Cleveland State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Cleveland State University is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio.
What are the most popular majors at Cleveland State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Cleveland State University by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. The school awards about 1,110 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Cleveland State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Cleveland State University reported 72 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 8.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Cleveland State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers