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
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Cleveland State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 42% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 51st 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 Cleveland 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.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $68,280 | $100,385 | -6% | #169 of 349 | #129 | $22,115 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $66,044 | $88,732 | +5% | #16 of 46 | #11 | — |
| Computer Engineering | $68,852 | $88,595 | -19% | #170 of 189 | #149 | $24,228 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $68,875 | $87,713 | -13% | #247 of 258 | #209 | $25,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $48,555 | $86,337 | -7% | #221 of 459 | #194 | $31,125 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $65,531 | $85,184 | -8% | #292 of 318 | #182 | $23,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $26,845 | $83,938 | +19% | #55 of 253 | #40 | $23,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,764 | $82,201 | -8% | #639 of 966 | #497 | $24,590 |
| Chemical Engineering | $69,043 | $81,185 | -17% | #157 of 158 | #133 | $25,550 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $49,425 | $73,669 | -12% | #279 of 452 | #238 | $21,875 |
| Civil Engineering | $66,295 | $73,575 | -15% | #229 of 233 | #205 | $26,117 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $54,088 | $73,476 | -4% | #390 of 796 | #315 | $20,661 |
| Information Science/Studies | $57,661 | $72,661 | -15% | #104 of 148 | #85 | $24,812 |
| International Business | — | $68,241 | -7% | #80 of 115 | #67 | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $47,040 | $67,614 | -22% | #111 of 126 | #101 | $18,716 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $23,755 | $67,214 | +9% | #16 of 48 | #14 | $18,250 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $40,869 | $65,203 | -4% | #117 of 187 | #87 | $22,500 |
| Chemistry | $48,147 | $63,541 | -2% | #136 of 209 | #88 | $23,391 |
| Economics | $44,759 | $62,852 | -24% | #339 of 368 | #290 | $19,750 |
| Marketing | $43,706 | $61,829 | -11% | #365 of 516 | #297 | $22,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,708 | $58,930 | -14% | #836 of 1176 | #724 | $23,492 |
| Mathematics | $41,164 | $58,346 | -16% | #263 of 309 | #225 | $18,875 |
| Sociology | $34,490 | $57,211 | +9% | #122 of 462 | #54 | $23,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $56,332 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $38,027 | $55,174 | -13% | #139 of 178 | #123 | $21,500 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $35,443 | $55,038 | -28% | #93 of 93 | #92 | $21,950 |
| Biology | $29,440 | $53,898 | -6% | #563 of 841 | #443 | $20,750 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $38,929 | $53,582 | -14% | #27 of 30 | #17 | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $34,835 | $53,245 | -3% | #155 of 265 | #92 | $19,038 |
| Criminology | $32,393 | $52,713 | -5% | #77 of 113 | #54 | $22,750 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | — | $51,540 | -13% | #188 of 215 | #177 | $19,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,204 | $49,647 | -22% | #524 of 565 | #478 | $20,375 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,618 | $48,688 | -14% | #486 of 660 | #407 | $22,000 |
| Social Work | $35,869 | $48,571 | -6% | #311 of 420 | #274 | $25,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | $48,439 | -12% | #192 of 225 | #161 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | $48,254 | -6% | #244 of 345 | #208 | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | $24,959 | $46,635 | -9% | #210 of 299 | #179 | $26,875 |
| Psychology | $30,949 | $46,090 | -9% | #746 of 1027 | #596 | $20,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $31,434 | $45,045 | -32% | #114 of 118 | #109 | $22,960 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,823 | $43,424 | -8% | #558 of 680 | #521 | $24,125 |
| History | $29,535 | $42,859 | -15% | #405 of 459 | #363 | $24,625 |
| English Language and Literature | $28,649 | $41,767 | -14% | #467 of 576 | #424 | $20,824 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $38,766 | $41,308 | -13% | #19 of 19 | #19 | $20,154 |
| Anthropology | $14,647 | $38,972 | -17% | #168 of 188 | #150 | $20,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $22,263 | $37,745 | -14% | #120 of 144 | #108 | $26,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,352 | $36,603 | -12% | #323 of 423 | #280 | $26,750 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | — | $36,174 | -9% | #195 of 255 | #151 | $23,781 |
| Music | $32,887 | $29,842 | -30% | #257 of 268 | #247 | $26,645 |
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.
The Cleveland State University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $165,021
- Avg rent near campus: $1,695/mo — vs ~$1,114/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 44108 (13.9% cap, Cleveland)
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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🏆 Where Cleveland State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $12,503 | $17,863 |
| Room | $10,025 | |
| Board | $4,760 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $32,043 | $37,403 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,058 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,122 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,697 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,512 |
| $110,001+ | $22,320 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Cleveland State University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Cleveland State University?
How much does it cost to attend Cleveland State University?
What is the graduation rate at Cleveland State University?
Is Cleveland State University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Cleveland State University?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to Cleveland State University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology