Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than Concordia University Chicago based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 4,770 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, IL (Large Suburban setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Concordia University Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Chicago 13:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University Chicago or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University than Concordia University Chicago ($16,230 vs. $19,073).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Chicago are 23.8% lower than at Cleveland State University ($11,510 vs. $15,104).
• Concordia University Chicago is 188.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cleveland State (about $24,500 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $12,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.5% higher at Concordia University Chicago than at Cleveland State University (about $18,978 more per year; $37,488.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Chicago than at Cleveland State University (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Chicago students is 169.1% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($26,361 vs. $9,795).

Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University Chicago or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State and Concordia University Chicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Chicago (1090) is 80 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Concordia University Chicago students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 990/1180; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Chicago 19/25; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University Chicago - Test-free; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Concordia University Chicago (3.18).
• Concordia University Chicago has a higher acceptance rate (92.8%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at Concordia University Chicago vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Concordia University Chicago vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University Chicago and Cleveland State? 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).

• Concordia University Chicago's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Concordia University Chicago graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $3,451 lower median loan debt than Concordia University Chicago graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,951).
• Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concordia University Chicago graduates ($222 vs. $257).
• More Concordia University Chicago graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 47%)

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.