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About

About Cleveland State University

high research activityhealth sciences focusaccessible admissionscleveland community rooted

Cleveland State University is a public research university in Cleveland, OH, known for its health sciences focus, accessible admissions, and cleveland community rooted. With an acceptance rate of 85%, CSU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 1,654 students each year. CSU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 880–1130, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. CSU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $9,552 per year; the sticker price of $35,143 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Cleveland State University acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

85%
Overall Accept Rate
3.25
Typical Admitted GPA
1005
Median Admitted SAT
GPATypical admitted range: 2.50 – 3.75 unweighted

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SATSubmitted score range: 880 – 1130 (test optional)

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ACTScore range: 18 – 25

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Cleveland State University

Application Strategy
Cleveland State admits the vast majority of applicants, so your GPA and course rigor are the most important parts of your application. Make sure your transcript shows a consistent upward trend or solid performance in core academic subjects.
Extracurriculars
Cleveland State strongly values its connection to the Cleveland community, so if you have local internship experience, community involvement, or career goals tied to Northeast Ohio industries like healthcare, law, or engineering, highlight those connections clearly in your application.

Financial Aid & Cost

What Cleveland State University actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$35k/yr$12.0k
30k-48k~$35k/yr$13.6k
48k-75k~$35k/yr$14.7k
75k-110k~$35k/yr$15.7k
110k+~$35k/yr$20.4k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

49%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$45k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
15:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
9,392
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

56%White
18%Black / African American
10%Hispanic
6%International
5%Two or More Races
4%Asian
2%Unknown / Unreported
0%American Indian / AK Native
Gender47% Men · 54% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status94% Citizens and Immigrants · 6% International
CSU, Cleveland Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch