Cleveland State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Cleveland State University charges a net price of $14,764/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $59,056. Graduates earn a median $52,131 ten years after entry, $3,771/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 15.7 years — a 20-year net return of $16,364, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Cleveland State University's 15.7-year payback ranks #983 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 23% of them, and #45 of 144 in Ohio.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $14,764/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $59,056 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $52,131 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $3,771/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,797 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 15.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $16,364 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Cleveland State University's own numbers. Net price $14,764 × 4 years = $59,056 total. Median earnings $52,131 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $3,771 a year of premium. $59,056 ÷ $3,771 = 15.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $16,364. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Cleveland State University students graduate with?
A median $21,797 in federal loans among completers, or 42% of the $52,131 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Cleveland State University students graduate?
51% finish their degree — 49% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $59,056 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $115,796 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Cleveland State University expensive compared with other Ohio colleges?
Its $14,764 net price runs $5,019 below the $19,783 median across the 144 Ohio colleges we profile, and $20,074 less across the full degree.