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Cleveland , OH
Cleveland State University (CSU) is a public research university located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Established in 1964, CSU has grown to become one of the largest universities in Ohio, serving over 18,000 students annually. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, education, health sciences, and the arts.
CSU is known for its strong ties to the community and commitment to urban engagement. The university collaborates extensively with local businesses, government organizations, and community partners to provide students with real-world learning experiences and job opportunities. Through its robust co-op and internship programs, students have the opportunity to gain practical experience and build professional connections in their chosen fields.
In addition to its academic programs, CSU offers a vibrant campus life with a variety of student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams. The university's athletic teams, known as the Vikings, compete in the Horizon League and participate in 17 different sports. CSU is also home to numerous cultural and artistic events, including exhibitions, performances, and concerts, providing students with rich cultural experiences. With its focus on community engagement, diverse academic offerings, and vibrant campus life, Cleveland State University provides a well-rounded education for students seeking a dynamic college experience in the heart of Cleveland.
Cleveland State University is a public university located in Cleveland, OH and set in an urban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 91%. The freshman retention rate at Cleveland State University is 70.25% and the six-year graduation rate is 51%.
Here are some updated information on important things to consider about Cleveland State University.
Quick Facts
9,418
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
51%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Discovering as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission improves your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most important facts you should know about admission policy and requirements at Cleveland State University.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 10,089 in 2025. Cleveland State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.37. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance,.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Cleveland State University was 70.25%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 51%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Cleveland State University in 2025 was 14,001.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 3. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 9,418, 536 of which were foreign students. The number of transfer students at this school was 932.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 4,737 male and 5,424 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student body and improving students' sense 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 students of Asian origin was 362, and the number of Black American students was 1,589. 849 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 416 as multirace. The school also had 4 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 23 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 176 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Cleveland State University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $13,259, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $18,973 for students coming from a different state. If you are an international student at Cleveland State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $20,116. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $115 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $18,973 | $115 | $19,088 |
| In-State | $13,259 | $115 | $13,374 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another important financial element. Most students have to spend about $1,000 for books and supplies during their time at Cleveland State University.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
At Cleveland State University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $15,614.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 13,259 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,614 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 29,873 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Cleveland State University.
According to the most recent data, 1,310 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students equaled $14,703.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 4,829 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Cleveland State University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 5,241. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $27,582,260, and state $14,690,747. The students of Cleveland State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $17,477,595, and external in the amount of $3,693,514.
$5,806
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.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 229 students overall (including freshmen) at Cleveland State University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 63 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $27,582,260 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $24,856. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $6,811,579. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $628,410 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
None:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
The faculty of this school consists of 316 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 180 male and 136 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Cleveland State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some info about students' life at Cleveland State University.
Its campus is 85 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Joining multiple student organizations can provide you a more interesting and dynamic experience.
This school has 65 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. This number includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 1 and female students 1. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students looking to explore media and communication, Cleveland State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Cleveland State University offers a number of services crucial for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Cleveland State University.
All in all, campus life at Cleveland State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
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 Cleveland State University.
Career Counselling
At Cleveland State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students.
FAQ
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Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH.
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Cleveland State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Cleveland State University is 91%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Cleveland State University is 70.25%.
Contact Information
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Avenue - AC 220
Cleveland , OH
44115-2214
216 687-2000
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.