Cleveland State University is a student-focused, public research institution in USA. Established in 1964, the university is known for its innovative collaborations with government, educational institutions, business and industries. Cleveland State University acceptance rate tends to be around 90-100%. The general application deadlines for Cleveland State University admissions are on July 21 (Fall), December 10 (Spring), and April 14 (Summer). CSU is home to more than 16,000 students. International students comprise 5% of the total student population of the university. Check Out: CSU Student Profiles!

Cleveland State University offers admission in more than 40 graduate programs and 70 undergraduate majors and minors. It also belongs to the top 20% U.S. universities offering research and development opportunities. IT and Accounts are some of the most popular degrees, preparing the highest-paid graduates from the university. Explore: Cleveland State University Courses!

CSU is also popular for its low cost of attendance. Cleveland State University cost of studying is 23% lower than the average cost of studying in USA. This makes CSU one of the most affordable universities to study abroad. The annual tuition cost for undergraduate and graduate students ranges around 11 lakhs and 15 lakhs respectively. The living cost ranges around 17,000 USD (~12.6 lakh INR) per annumCSU scholarships are offered to international undergraduate students, covering partial expenses ranging around 5,000 USD (~3.7 lakh INR). Future graduate students are offered various assistantships, loans and external scholarships to study in USA.

Cleveland State University Rankings

Some of the world rankings achieved by the university are mentioned below.

  • #1201-1400 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
  • #299-391 in National Universities according to US News and World Report, 2022
  • #156-209 in Top Public Schools by US News and World Report, 2022
  • #332 in Nursing by US News and World Report, 2022.

Some of the subject-specific rankings of Cleveland State University according to U.S. News and World Report, 2022 are as follows:

Subject Ranking in 2022
Part-time MBA #199
Law #127
Engineering #152-200
Biological Sciences #251
Chemistry #204

Cleveland State University Courses

Cleveland State University courses consist of more than 1,000 programs and 200 majors at undergraduate and graduate levels. 

  • The vast repertoire of degrees that students can choose from includes 70 undergraduate programs and 40+ master's degrees.
  • CSU offers 2 law degree programs, 3 specialist degrees (two in education and one in school psychology), 8 doctoral programs. 
  • Several joint programs including law-business, law-public administration, and law-environmental studies apart from professional certificates and continuing education programs are also taught by the university.
  • The CSU courses and programs are delivered through 10 academic schools and colleges.

Cleveland State University Admissions

The university accepts applications for admission in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. International students can apply for Cleveland State University admissions through the online application portal. The undergraduate applications are processed within a few days to a few weeks. 

Cleveland State University Application Process

Application Portal: Cleveland State University international applicationApplication Fee: 40 USD (3,198 INR)
Undergraduate Admission Requirements: The admission requirements for international students are as follows:

  • Completion of 12 years of education or higher secondary level study
  • GPA score of 2.3/4 or 78% (recommended)
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • SAT or ACT scores (optional)
    • ACT score of 16 (BBA class profile)
    •  SAT score of 880 (BBA class profile)
  • Official transcripts of academics with a certified English translation if not available in English.

Graduate Admission Requirements: The admission requirements for the Cleveland State University graduate programs are as follows.

  • Academic transcripts
  • Minimum requirements vary by programs
  • GPA of 2.75/4 (82-83%)
  • Academic transcripts and degree certificates in original language and a certified English translation with them
  • GMAT/GRE scores (can be waived for students with 3.0/4 GPA ~ 85%)
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Passport
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Bank statement and proof of financial support.

All application materials can be sent to Cleveland State University, Office of International Admissions, 2121 Euclid Avenue, UN 443, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, USA. International students must include their CSU ID number with all application materials.

Cleveland State University Application Deadlines

While deadlines for some courses might vary, the common application deadlines observed at the institute are as mentioned below:

Season of Intake Last Date
Fall July 21
Spring December 10
Summer (IELP only) April 14

Please note:

  • New Freshmen applying for the Summer intake will be considered for Fall.
  • Graduate program deadlines vary. Students are advised to review specific program deadlines.

Cleveland State University Acceptance Rate

Cleveland State University acceptance rate varies between 95–100% each year. The university enrols more than 16,000 students each year. Among them, more than 1,400 are international students. In Fall admission 2021, CSU administered a 20% increase in graduate enrollment and a 5% increase in freshman admission.

Cleveland State University Campus

Located in downtown Cleveland, CSU campus stretches up to 85 acres in an urban setting. The campus consists of 40 buildings, in both old and modern architectural styles, that are used for teaching, research, housing, administration, and recreation.

  • Strategic location of the university campus amidst a host of businesses and institutions provides ample internship and other professional opportunities to the students.
  • The nineteen-story state-of-the-art Rhodes Tower that houses the University Library and teaching facilities is a striking campus feature alongside the historic landmark Mather Mansion.
  • Other important features of the institute’s campus are the 13,000-seat Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Center, Washkewicz College of Engineering’s 100,000-square-foot annex housing research labs, teaching labs and simulation labs, etc. 
  • CSU also lays extra emphasis on sports and recreational activities and has teams in round 17 sports that compete in the Horizon League every year. Some of the popular sports are football and basketball. 
  • Cleveland State University campus host various country-specific student organizations that nurses several cultural events making it a comfortable environment for international students.

Cleveland State University Accommodations

Students willing to live on-campus at the institute can choose from 2 residence hall options: Euclid Commons and Fenn Tower. The campus residence facilities can accommodate a little above 1,000 students. Available room types include single and sharing (double and quad). The rates of student housing at CSU are tabulated below:

Room Type Annual Cost in INR
Fenn Tower – 1 Bedroom 6.1 lakhs
Fenn Tower – 2 Bedrooms 7.04 lakhs
Euclid Commons – 4 Bedrooms 7.88 lakhs
Euclid Commons – 3 Bedrooms (Shared Bedroom) 7.16 lakhs
Euclid Commons – 3 Bedrooms (Private Bedroom) 7.88 lakhs

Note: All campus residents are required to subscribe to a residential meal plan at the campus dining facilities. The basic meal plan costs 1,507 USD per semester.

Students should bear in mind that campus housing facilities are limited and priority is given in order of acceptance. Applicants are required to submit the housing application along with a non-refundable fee of 25 USD at the earliest for a favourable outcome. Applicants can also opt to lease off-campus apartments adjacent to the campus. However, please, note that such residential facilities are not owned, operated or endorsed by the university in any way.

Cleveland State University Cost of Attendance

An estimation of Cleveland State University cost of studying for the upcoming season has been compiled as follows. Prospective students, it is highly recommended to take note of the below-mentioned expenses and plan a budget in advance.

Expense Type Bachelor (in INR) Master (in INR) JD/ Law (in INR)
Tuition & Fees 11.85 lakhs 15.42 lakhs 20.71 lakhs
Room/ Board 9.61 lakhs 9.6 lakhs 13.64 lakhs
Books & Supplies 60,600 60,600 1.14 lakhs
Health Insurance 1.68 lakhs 1.68 lakhs 1.68 lakhs
Local Transportation 1.34 lakhs 1.34 lakhs 1.34 lakhs
Personal Expenses 1.29 lakhs 1.29 lakhs 1.29 lakhs
Total Expenses 26.37 lakhs 29.93 lakhs 39.8 lakhs

Note that in addition to the above estimate, all International students need to pay a one-time and non-refundable Orientation Fee of 100 USD and a Services Fee of 30 USD per semester.

Cleveland State University Scholarships

While overseas applicants are not eligible for Federal financial aid, the institute does offer various scholarships for international students in USA which are as mentioned below.

  • Honors Program Scholarships: Incoming freshmen enrolled at the Mandel Honors College are considered for an award that covers full tuition at the domestic tuition rate and associated fees. The award is renewable for a maximum of 8-semesters on the condition that the awardee maintains a CGPA of at least 3.5.
  • Lincoln Electric Scholars Award: Annual award of up to 5,000 USD is awarded to Chemical, Electrical, and Mechanical majors to students in their sophomore year and with a CGPA of 3.0. The applicant is required to have an inclination towards manufacturing and must be open to accepting a co-op assignment. Renewal of the award will be on the basis of student evaluation during the co-op assignment. and will be invited to reapply for the scholarship based on performance during the co-op experience.
  • Research assistantships are an excellent route to gain research experience as well as professional development by being in an assisting role to a faculty or staff member in their research.

Graduate students can apply for Graduate Assistantships or Teaching Assistantships. Such positions are limited, highly competitive and are available with respective academic departments only. Teaching Assistants help departments in the delivery of undergraduate instructional programs. Graduate or Teaching Assistants may be compensated for their work by way of a tuition scholarship and/or housing waiver. Other departmental scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students are available based on their academic major.

Work While Study

International students do not qualify for the Federal Work-Study award, however, they are eligible to seek on-campus employment under CSU’s Non-Work Study Program. Such students are required to obtain permission to work through the Center for International Services and Programs (CISP). International students should be enrolled full-time at the university, obtain Social Security Number and complete payroll tax forms in order to work on-campus. Students are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week during the regular academic semesters (not more than 40 hours a week during school breaks). Please note that students are never permitted to work over 40 hours a week.

Cleveland State University Alumni

Cleveland State University boasts 120,000 alumni around the world. The alumni association promotes crowdfunding for present students, and volunteering for various events like reunions and meetings with current students. CSU also awards its alumni with many benefits and discounts. Some of the alumni benefits are as follows.

  • Free access to the university library
  • 5% discount on continuing education at the university
  • Access to career services
  • Access to Cash Course for financial literacy
  • Discount in selected hotels and car rentals. 

Some of the CSU notable alumni are as follows:

  • Shawn Richards, Politician
  • Andrew Puzder, CEO of Hardee’s
  • Norris Cole, American Professional Basketball Player
  • Stipe Miocic, American Mixed Martial Artist
  • Dennis Kucinich, Former Mayor of Cleveland.

Cleveland State University Placements

Career services include career advising, providing help with resumes, cover letter writing, job search, internships, events, networking, interviewing, and online career development program, etc.

  • The 3 years average rate of employment of Cleveland State University graduates is 100% within 6 months of graduation.
  • The career services connect graduates and employers for jobs, co-ops, and on and off-campus internships.
  • Career coaching for undergraduates, graduates, and alumni is free of cost at this university.
  • Undergraduate employment rate is around 63% at the time of graduation.
  • Graduate employment rate is around 77% at the time of graduation.
  • The average salary of graduates is $61,319 (48.74 lakhs) and bachelor's degree graduates are getting $47,203 (37.52 INR) per annum on average.

Students can take up more than one job on-campus, provided the total number of hours worked never exceeds the work-hour limits.The various on-campus job options available to students include positions in the CSU Bookstore, Dining Services, Residence Life, Recreation Center, and the CSU Call Center, Academic Internships, among others.

FAQs

Ques. Why is Cleveland State University famous?

Ans. Cleveland State University is popularly known for its wide variety of courses and low cost of attendance. Students need 11 to 15 lakhs INR for admission to the various UG and PG programs at Cleveland State University.

Ques. What is the GPA required for CSU?

Ans. As an international student, you will need a GPA of 2.3 (~77-79%) or higher on a 4.0 scale for admission to Cleveland State University.

Ques. Is Cleveland State University hard to get into?

Ans. Cleveland State University has a lightly selective admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 90-100%, the university exhibits almost no competition in the admission run.

Ques. Does Cleveland State University provide student accommodation facilities?

Ans. Yes, students planning to stay on campus can choose from 2 residence options. The cost of living on campus is around 8000 USD (~6.07 lakhs INR) per year with a meal cost of 1500 USD (~1.14 lakhs INR) per semester.

Ques. Does Cleveland State University provide scholarships?

Ans. Yes, there are scholarship opportunities for international students at Cleveland State University. Students get degree-specific, merit-based and need-based scholarships offering around 5,000 USD.