Established in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research university in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. The university is one of the top universities in the USA. Cleveland University offers around 70 academic majors, 27 master’s degrees, and two law degrees through its eight colleges including, the College of Arts & Science; College of Graduate; College of Health; College of Law; Jack Joseph & Morton Mandel Honors College; Levin College of Public Affair & Education; Monte Ahuja College of Business; and Washkewicz College of Business.
International students from all over the globe apply to Cleveland State University every year. The things that compelled students to be admitted to undergraduate and graduate programs are the research facilities and research cooperation agreements with the nearby NASA Glenn Research Center.
When it comes to the Cleveland State University Ranking, it ranked #183 in Top Public Schools, #342 in National Universities, and #1401+ in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Some other notable university rankings include #2 in social mobility (behind The Ohio State), #3 in service among Ohio publics, and #6 in research among Ohio publics by Washington Monthly.
Also see CSU Courses
Cleveland State University Acceptance Rate 2025
The current Spring 2025 enrollment stands at 13,397. For Fall 2024, Cleveland State University welcomed almost 2,800 new first-year students, over 1,000 new graduate students, and over 200 law students on the CSU campus grounds. The total enrollment for the academic session 2024/25 stood at 14,210.
For Fall 2023, the university received about 10,200 applications, of which more than 9,800 candidates were selected by the university. This makes the Cleveland State University acceptance rate about 95%, a lot higher than the CSU acceptance rate for 2022 of 85%. Thus, it can be concluded that the selection criteria for Cleveland State University admissions are extremely lenient.
Particualrs |
2022 Headcount |
2023 Headcount |
---|
Applications Received |
11,500+ |
10,274 |
Students Admitted |
9,800+ |
9,810 |
Acceptance Rate |
85% |
95% |
(Data sourced from unofficial sources and is subject to change)
Cleveland State University Acceptance Rate for International Students
Cleveland State is home to more than 1,400 international students, as per the data provided by official sources. Additionally, approximately 27% minorities are housed on the university campus, of which two-thirds are African American. The student demographics as of Fall 2023 are given below:
Ethnicity/Race
|
2023 Percentage of Students
|
---|
Hispanic/Latino
|
7.1% |
Black or African American, non-Hispanic
|
14.3% |
White, non-Hispanic
|
51.4% |
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
|
0.184% |
Asian, non-Hispanic
|
3.49% |
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
|
0.0567% |
Two or more races, non-Hispanic
|
3.86% |
(Sourced from unofficial sources)
Cleveland State University Acceptance Rate Trends
According to the university enrollment data over the years, the Cleveland State University acceptance rate has seen fluctuating trends. The number of applications received saw a sharp decline in 2020; however, for most of the years, it has remained above 10,000. On the other hand, the number of student enrollments has been decreasing. The Cleveland State acceptance rate dipped to a low of 85% in Fall 2022; however, it has climbed back up to the CSU acceptance rate 2025 of 95%.
Year
|
Application Received
|
Application Enrolled
|
CSU Acceptance Rate
|
---|
2023-2024
|
10,274
|
1,580+
|
95.5%
|
2022-2023
|
11,570
|
1,628 |
85.5%
|
2021-2022
|
10,193
|
1,834
|
91.3%
|
2020-2021
|
7,815
|
1,752
|
94%
|
2019-2020
|
10,646
|
1,943
|
94%
|
(Sourced from unofficial sources)
Also check Cleveland State Placement
Cleveland State University Requirements for International Students
International students must fulfill the basic university requirements for enrolling in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The Cleveland State University entry requirements for UG and PG programs are given below:
Undergraduate Requirements
|
Graduate Requirements
|
---|
Higher Secondary School Certificate
|
4-year Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Bridge program available in Business for holders of a 3-year bachelor's degree.
|
A minimum GPA score of 2.3
|
Test scores for any specific standardized tests (e.g., LSAT for Law programs)
|
Copy of your passport
|
Copy of your passport
|
English-language test scores
|
English-language test scores
|
Also see Cleveland State University Scholarships
Cleveland State University Average GPA, SAT & ACT Scores
A high school GPA can make a positive impact on an international student’s resume and is one of the crucial factors during university admissions. Students must aim to score high on standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT. The Cleveland State University prerequisite scores for international students are listed below:
Particulars
|
Minimum score required
|
---|
SAT
|
880 or higher
|
ACT
|
16 or higher
|
GPA
|
2.3 on a scale of 4
|
Tips to get selected at Cleveland State University
The Cleveland State University acceptance rate is 95%. This demonstrates that admission to the university is moderately competitive and requires good performance. The following tips can help students increase their chances of being selected:
- Aim High Scores: To improve their chances of being selected, students should strive for high scores on standardized examinations and do well on English proficiency exams. Additionally, achieving a higher GPA than required can help their resumes.
- Participate in extracurricular activities: Students who are all-rounders are given preference by the university. Engaging in research groups and events might positively reflect on a resume.
- Make health a priority: Students will perform better when their bodies and minds are working well. Don't ever take health for granted. Make time for a balanced diet, regular exercise, and peaceful sleep.
- Experience in a relevant field: Make an effort to obtain experience in the field. This demonstrates the student's interest and complete focus on learning the course.
Cleveland State University Acceptance Rate vs University of New Heaven Acceptance Rate
The Cleveland State University acceptance rate is 95%, whereas the University of New Heaven acceptance rate stands at 80%. This demonstrates that both universities follow moderate to easy selection criteria when it comes to admissions. However, CSU is comparatively less selective than the latter.
Both universities are competitive and demand good academic performance, selecting students based on their high school GPA, standardized test scores (ACT, SAT, and English proficiency tests), and overall performance on these assessments. Students also need to engage in extracurricular activities and obtain relevant work experience in their subject of study.
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