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Wilberforce , OH
Central State University is a public historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio. It was founded in 1887 as a result of the Second Morrill Act which aimed to provide higher education opportunities to African Americans. Central State University has a rich history of educating and empowering African American students, and it continues to be a prominent institution for higher education in the region.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including liberal arts, business, education, agriculture, and science. The faculty at Central State University are highly qualified and experienced, dedicated to providing students with a quality education. The university emphasizes experiential learning and offers internships, research opportunities, and community engagement programs to enhance students' learning experiences.
Central State University fosters an inclusive and supportive learning environment where students from diverse backgrounds can thrive. The university provides numerous student organizations, clubs, and activities to promote student development and involvement in campus life. Additionally, Central State University offers various support services, including academic counseling, financial aid, and career services, to ensure the success and well-being of its students. With its commitment to academic excellence and promoting social justice, Central State University continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of its students and their communities.
Located in Wilberforce, OH and set in a rural environment, Central State University is a public four-year college. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 98%. The freshman retention rate at Central State University is 56% and the six-year graduation rate is 23%.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into Central State University.
Quick Facts
2,676
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
23%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission increases your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most important data you have to know about admission policy and requirements at Central State University.
In 2025, the school accepted 2,771 new students.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 2.89.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
The freshman retention rate for Central State University was 56% in 2025.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 23%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Central State University in 2025 was 2,719.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 62. There was a total of 2,676 those pursuing undergraduate studies, including 236 international students. 178 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 814 male and 1,273 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 19, while the number of Black American students was 1,513. 125 students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 85 identified with more than one race. There were also 382 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Central State University estimated tuition fees.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $5,808. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $8,808 in 2025. For international students, tuition fees at this school came to $8,808, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,492.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $8,808 | $2,492 | $11,300 |
| In-State | $5,808 | $2,492 | $8,300 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $720.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, room and board cost at Central State University amounted to $12,556 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $6,620, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $6,620.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 5,808 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,556 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 720 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,084 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for a number of students. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Central State University, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 627 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $13,450 in financial help.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
2,076 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Central State University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 2,100. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $14,580,950, and state $185,258.
$1,625
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
832 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. 357 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Central State University was 16:1: that means 16 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 201 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 111 male and 90 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Central State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Central State University.
Its campus is 638 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
According to recently gathered data, there are 29 open-membership organizations at Central State University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 1% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 1 for female students. Students who have a talent for music can join the Central State University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? Central State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Central State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Central State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Central State University.
Career Counselling
At Central State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Being aware of the projected salary upon finishing your studies can be important in determining if a specific school is in line with your career ambitions.
The starting salary for graduates employed within six months of graduating at this school averages 42,000 USD.
$42,000
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Central State University is located in Wilberforce, OH.
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Central State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Central State University is 98%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Central State University is 56%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
