Cleveland, OH · Private University
Is Cleveland State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$52,131
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$12,613
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,973
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$71,892
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.90x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
48.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,797
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,065
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Cleveland State University graduates earn $7,131 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Cleveland State University ranked by graduate earnings
16 graduates
46 graduates
20 graduates
55 graduates
32 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Cleveland State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Cleveland State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions: $95,240) and the lowest (History: $29,535) is $65,705/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsBest ROI | $95,240 | 5.3x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $86,729 | 4.8x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $80,483 | 4.5x |
| Chemical Engineering | $77,355 | 4.3x |
| Computer Engineering | $77,292 | 4.3x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $71,895 | 4.0x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $68,280 | 3.8x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $66,044 | 3.7x |
| Civil Engineering | $65,927 | 3.7x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $63,587 | 3.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,976 | 3.5x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,435 | 3.4x |
| Economics | $59,894 | 3.3x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $58,100 | 3.2x |
| Information Science/Studies(1yr data) | $57,661 | 3.2x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $56,332 | 3.1x |
| Chemistry | $55,195 | 3.1x |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $53,829 | 3.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $52,512 | 2.9x |
| Mathematics | $49,718 | 2.8x |
| Marketing | $49,154 | 2.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $47,418 | 2.6x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $46,411 | 2.6x |
| Criminology | $44,047 | 2.5x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $43,214 | 2.4x |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $42,894 | 2.4x |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $42,364 | 2.4x |
| Biology, General | $40,846 | 2.3x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $40,590 | 2.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,354 | 2.2x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $39,192 | 2.2x |
| Social Work | $37,881 | 2.1x |
| Sociology | $37,292 | 2.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,976 | 2.1x |
| Psychology, General | $36,874 | 2.0x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $36,009 | 2.0x |
| Anthropology | $35,573 | 2.0x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $35,443 | 2.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,530 | 1.9x |
| Music(1yr data) | $32,887 | 1.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,792 | 1.8x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies(1yr data) | $31,434 | 1.8x |
| HistoryLowest(1yr data) | $29,535 | 1.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Cleveland State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $52,131 10 years after starting, $7,131 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.2 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.