Cleveland State Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Cleveland State is 91.3%.  Its admission rate is the 64th lowest in Ohio.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Cleveland State and can you get accepted?

Cleveland State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 10,504 out of the 11,506 who applied were admitted.

The school has moderate admission requirements for SAT and ACT scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 70 percent (SAT 900/1170 ACT 18/28). Cleveland State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.31. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Cleveland State?

91% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Cleveland State University you should:

• Have a high school GPA of 3.31 or better
• Earn B+ grades in high school
• Score 1040 on the SAT
• Score 23 on the ACT

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into Cleveland State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Cleveland State are to have around a 3.31 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.31 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Cleveland State accepts 91% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Cleveland State is 3.31 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #50 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.31 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Testing Requirements

You are required to submit admission test scores with your application. Cleveland State University is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to confirm the most up to date testing requirements.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Cleveland State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Cleveland State is 1040 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 900-1170. Students who get into Cleveland State University score in the top 78 percent of all SAT test takers..  Cleveland State ranks #40 in the state of Ohio for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1040 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Cleveland State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 900 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 900, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 760, but scores this low are outside the normal range. 23 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1040 SAT score range.

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1035, you have around a 91% chance of being admitted. A 1170 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 95% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Cleveland State?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Cleveland State is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 28.  The school ranks #19 in Ohio for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 13.

50 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Cleveland State University.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Cleveland State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 91% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 95% with a 28 ACT score.

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Cleveland State University is $40.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Cleveland State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Cleveland State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.31 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1040 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.