Cleveland State vs Oakland University (OU)
Cleveland State University and Oakland University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Ohio, offer distinct educational experiences. Cleveland State, nestled in the heart of downtown Cleveland, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, with a focus on urban studies and healthcare. Oakland University, situated in the vibrant city of Rochester, is known for its strong liberal arts and sciences foundation, along with nationally recognized programs in engineering and nursing. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Cleveland State University |
![]() Oakland University |
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Overview |
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Location | Cleveland, Ohio | Rochester Hills, Michigan |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 70.0% | 73.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.3% | 92.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
|
$45 |
SAT range | 900 - 1170 | 970 - 1230 |
ACT range | 18 - 28 | 21 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 23.0% | 60.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 50.0% | 10.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,506 | 10,645 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,504 | 9,803 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,869 | 2,025 |
Yield rate | 17.8% | 20.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$28,630
Out of state:
$33,593
|
In state:
$27,222
Out of state:
$37,996
|
Average net price | $15,517 | $14,316 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,610
Out of state:
$16,573
|
In state:
$13,934
Out of state:
$24,708
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,825
Meal plan:
$5,394
|
$10,639 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $8,779 |
90.0%
Average amount $10,413 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
48.0%
Average amount $5,037 |
40.0%
Average amount $4,896 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $11,833 |
3.0%
Average amount $11,832 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
10,481
Men 44.5% Women 55.5% |
13,771
Men 42.1% Women 57.9% |
Graduate students |
4,827
Men 46.2% Women 53.8% |
3,399
Men 43.2% Women 56.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 2.5% |
International students | 13.0% | 4.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,011 | 3,330 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Michigan Ohio Texas Florida Wisconsin |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 50.8% | 56.1% |
Dropout rate | 8.7% | 30.4% |
Transferred out | 33.8% | 8.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
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