Cuyahoga Community College District vs Cleveland State University: which has better ROI?
Cleveland State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $59,056 in 15.7 years versus not at all at Cuyahoga Community College District, on median earnings of $52,131 vs $35,654 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cuyahoga Community College District | Cleveland State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,266 | $14,764 |
| Total net cost | $17,064 | $59,056 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,654 | $52,131 |
| Median debt | $8,150 | $21,797 |
| Payback | — | 15.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$271,184 | $16,364 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cuyahoga Community College District or Cleveland State University?
Cuyahoga Community College District, at $4,266 a year after aid versus $14,764 — a gap of $10,498 a year, or $41,992 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cuyahoga Community College District or Cleveland State University graduates earn more?
Cleveland State University graduates report a median $52,131 ten years after entry, $16,477 more than the $35,654 at Cuyahoga Community College District. 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, Cuyahoga Community College District or Cleveland State University?
Cuyahoga Community College District: its completers carry a median $8,150 in federal loans versus $21,797 at Cleveland State University, a difference of $13,647. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at Cleveland State University, against 31% at Cuyahoga Community College District. 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.