Central State Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 98.61%. Not very selective
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $8,058
- Out-of-State Tuition: $10,058
- Both in-state and out-of-state tuition are relatively affordable compared to national averages.
Student Population at Central State:
- Total Enrollment: 2,708, including 1,085 online students
- 2,665 Undergraduate, 43 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 36% men, 64% women.
- This is a small institution, fostering a close-knit community and individualized attention.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 23%. Lower graduation rate, which may reflect challenges in student retention or completion.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 34%. A significant portion of students transfer to other institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 56%. Lower retention, which may reflect challenges in student engagement or support.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 41 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 5 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 1 graduate-level programs offered.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's.
Central State Overview
Central State University (Central State) is a four-year, public school located in Wilberforce, OH. It is a historically black college/university. Central State University was newly reclassified as an Research College/University (Baccalaureate Colleges) in 2025 due to changes in its research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The Central State's tuition & fees is $8,058 for Ohio residents and $10,058 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 92% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $7,074.
The school has a total enrollment of 2,708 and the students to faculty ratio is 16 to 1 (6.25%).
Central State's acceptance rate is 98.61% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 19.38%.
Central State University is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Central State University is $8,058 for in-state students and $10,058 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $8,300 for in-state students and $10,100 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $8,299 for Ohio residents and $10,298 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $8,300 for Ohio residents and $10,100 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,058 | $10,058 |
|---|
| Graduate | $8,300 | $10,100 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,299 | $10,298 |
|---|
| Graduate | $8,300 | $10,100 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Central State University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at Central State
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | Yes |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | No |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | No |
|---|
Central State University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing Central State