Cleveland State Community College vs Freed-Hardeman University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Freed-Hardeman University comes closer — median earnings $47,485 against a $86,296 total, vs $36,671 at Cleveland State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cleveland State Community College | Freed-Hardeman University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,384 | $21,574 |
| Total net cost | $12,768 | $86,296 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,671 | $47,485 |
| Median debt | $7,954 | $21,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$246,548 | -$103,796 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cleveland State Community College or Freed-Hardeman University?
Cleveland State Community College, at $6,384 a year after aid versus $21,574 — a gap of $15,190 a year, or $73,528 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cleveland State Community College or Freed-Hardeman University graduates earn more?
Freed-Hardeman University graduates report a median $47,485 ten years after entry, $10,814 more than the $36,671 at Cleveland State Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Cleveland State Community College or Freed-Hardeman University?
Cleveland State Community College: its completers carry a median $7,954 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Freed-Hardeman University, a difference of $13,546. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Freed-Hardeman University, against 37% at Cleveland State Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.