C
Average
Score: 53/100
Overall (traditional)
F
Outcome Rating
16/100 · earnings-weighted

Central State University

4-Year Public HBCU
📍 Wilberforce, Ohio 45384
Central State University campus, Wilberforce, OH
Central State University campus, Wilberforce, OH. Photo: Nyttend, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (C) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 26%
Outcomes
C
48/100
Affordability
C+
56/100
Resources
C+
61/100
Experience
C+
64/100
Prestige
C
41/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

3,454
Total Enrollment
26%
Graduation Rate
51%
Retention Rate
17.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
46%
Acceptance Rate
$14,821
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Central State University ▼

1% of first-year students live off campus and not with family (U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS). Upper-year students at most universities move off campus at much higher rates, so near-campus rental demand is typically larger than this figure suggests.

The campus ZIP (45384) has no residential market, so these figures average 2 nearby ZIP codes within 6 miles of campus (45385, 45387).

Avg Home Value
$321,538
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,224
1-Year Change
+7.8%

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Central State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$33,267
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$27,173
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$30,739
Median debt at graduation
22.8%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
16
Median ACT
52.7%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 92% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 4th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (OH wage index 0.88). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Central State University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Social Work—$47,853-8%#321 of 420#298$26,380
Criminal Justice and Corrections$32,631$46,914-15%#562 of 660#531$31,000
Business/Commerce$29,472$44,662-35%#268 of 271#266$31,000
Psychology$18,266$39,628-22%#978 of 1027#953$31,000
Journalism$28,306$36,311-35%#187 of 187#185$31,000
Biology$28,264————$30,599

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Central State University Town Property Report

  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 45324 (5.7% cap, Fairborn)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $5,404 $7,404
Room $6,086
Board $5,304
Total Cost (On-Campus) $22,014 $24,014

Financial Aid

90%
Receive Any Aid
73%
Receive Pell Grants
89%
Take Out Loans
$14,821
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$15,607
$30,001 - $48,000$16,661
$48,001 - $75,000$18,187
$75,001 - $110,000$21,211

Student Demographics

3,454
Total Students
66%
Women
49%
Traditional Age (18-24)
1%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 18%
Hispanic 9%
Black 49%
Asian 2%
Two or More 5%
Non-Resident 5%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 99%
Off-Campus (Renters) 1%
With Family 0%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~35 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 13%
Hybrid (Some Online) 33%
Fully Online 55%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 49%
25-64 (Adult) 48%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Central State University?
Central State University has an acceptance rate of 46%. This makes it a moderately selective institution with competitive admission standards.
How much does it cost to attend Central State University?
Tuition at Central State University is $5,404 for in-state students and $7,404 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $14,821.
What is the graduation rate at Central State University?
The graduation rate at Central State University is 26%. This graduation rate is low, which may reflect the institution's student population, program types, or other factors worth investigating.
Is Central State University a good school?
Central State University has a Repit College Score of 53/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (C): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (C+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Central State University?
Central State University has a total enrollment of 3,454 students.
Is there rental demand near Central State University?
Yes! Approximately 1% of students at Central State University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 35 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Central State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Central State University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C+
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
Cincinnati, OH · 8,681 students
C
Marion Technical College
Marion, OH · 3,008 students
C+
Wright State University-Main Campus
Dayton, OH · 9,884 students
C
Clark State College
Springfield, OH · 4,724 students
C
James A. Rhodes State College
Lima, OH · 3,968 students
C
Central Ohio Technical College
Newark, OH · 2,890 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology