Academic Comparison between Cleveland State and ONU

Cleveland State University and Ohio Northern University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cleveland State is a four-year, public school located in Cleveland, OH and ONU is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Ada, OH.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Cleveland State is a public and ONU is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • ONU has more expensive tuition & fees ($39,600) than Cleveland State ($18,502).
  • It is harder to admit to ONU than Cleveland State.
  • Cleveland State has more students with 14,074 students while ONU has 3,140 students.
  • ONU has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Cleveland State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Cleveland State has more full-time faculties with 544 faculties while ONU has 205 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Cleveland State Universityvs.Ohio Northern University
Cleveland, OhioLocationAda, Ohio
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$12,982
Out-Of-State$18,502
2025 Tuition & Fees$39,600
70%% Receiving Financial Aid90%
$9,231Average Amount of Financial Aid$27,097
91.30 %Acceptance Rates74.40 %
15.66 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)19.87 %
-SAT Score1,260
-ACT Score26
51 %Graduation Rate75 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate-
70 %Retention Rate84 %
14,074Student Population3,140
544Number of Faculties205
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare