Cleveland State University vs Oberlin College: which has better ROI?
Oberlin College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $154,580 in 15.5 years versus 15.7 years at Cleveland State University, on median earnings of $58,343 vs $52,131 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cleveland State University | Oberlin College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,764 | $38,645 |
| Total net cost | $59,056 | $154,580 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $52,131 | $58,343 |
| Median debt | $21,797 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 15.7 yrs | 15.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $16,364 | $45,080 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cleveland State University or Oberlin College?
Cleveland State University, at $14,764 a year after aid versus $38,645 — a gap of $23,881 a year, or $95,524 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 University or Oberlin College graduates earn more?
Oberlin College graduates report a median $58,343 ten years after entry, $6,212 more than the $52,131 at Cleveland State University. 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 University or Oberlin College?
Cleveland State University: its completers carry a median $21,797 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Oberlin College, a difference of $4,203. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Oberlin College, against 51% at Cleveland State University. 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.