Cleveland State vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; East Central University 18:1.

Cleveland State vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or ECU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Central University than Cleveland State ($8,565 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 43.6% lower than at Cleveland State University ($8,516 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 61.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $4,956 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Cleveland State than at East Central University (about $668 more per year; $18,510.00 vs. $17,842.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Central University than at Cleveland State University (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 5.8% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($9,795 vs. $9,255).

Cleveland State vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State or ECU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ECU and Cleveland State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cleveland State University (1010) is the same as at ECU (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have the same average high school GPA (3.31) as students at ECU (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 42.4% at ECU.

Cleveland State vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and ECU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• East Central University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $4,622 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($16,878 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($174 vs. $222).
• More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.