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Cleveland State University
Cleveland State University admits nearly everyone — 91.3% of applicants. A feature, not a flaw: the page below asks whether Cleveland State University is worth attending, not whether you'll get in.
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Cleveland State University sits in Cleveland proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. International students are a visible presence here — 6% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $100,385 four years out. Faculty pay averages $113,760 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. Most of its 8,969 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 70.3% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 17 and 25 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on Cleveland State University's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Cleveland State University is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. Cleveland State University's submitters' middle half scored 17–25 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 17 | 18 | 25 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Cleveland State University received 10,274 applications and admitted 9,810 (95.5%), with 1,593 enrolling.
How Cleveland State University compares
| Cleveland State University | Ohio median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 91.3% | 76.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $12,988 | $29,500 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $52,131 | $52,356 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Cleveland State University's median earnings are $52,131 — below the Ohio benchmark of $52,356. Weigh that against the $12,988 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Cleveland State University prices by residency: $12,988 in-state versus $18,510 out-of-state — a $5,522 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Cleveland State University enrolls 8,969 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Cleveland State University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
50.6% graduate within six years. Roughly 49% don't — ask a Cleveland State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Cleveland State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $100,385 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $88,732 |
| Computer Engineering | $88,595 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $87,713 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $86,337 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $85,184 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $83,938 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $82,201 |
| Chemical Engineering | $81,185 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $73,669 |
| Civil Engineering | $73,575 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $73,476 |
| Information Science/Studies | $72,661 |
| International Business | $68,241 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $67,614 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $67,214 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $65,203 |
| Chemistry | $63,541 |
| Economics | $62,852 |
| Marketing | $61,829 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $58,930 |
| Mathematics | $58,346 |
| Sociology | $57,211 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $55,174 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $55,038 |
| Biology, General | $53,898 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $53,582 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $53,245 |
| Criminology | $52,713 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $51,540 |
| Political Science and Government | $49,647 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,688 |
| Social Work | $48,571 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $48,439 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,254 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $46,635 |
| Psychology, General | $46,090 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $45,045 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,424 |
| History | $42,859 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,767 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $41,308 |
| Anthropology | $38,972 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $37,745 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,603 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $36,174 |
| Music | $29,842 |
Median earnings for these 47 Cleveland State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $52,131 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 24 additional Cleveland State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Cleveland State University?
The middle 50% of Cleveland State University's submitters earned ACT composites of 17–25; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is Cleveland State University's acceptance rate?
95.5% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 9,810 admitted from 10,274 applicants.
How much does Cleveland State University cost?
In-state tuition is $12,988; out-of-state students pay $18,510. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Cleveland State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $52,131 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Ohio
- University of Cincinnati-Main Campus — 85.3% admitted
- Central State University — 98.6% admitted
- Heidelberg University — 85.8% admitted
- Hiram College — 93.5% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.