Cleveland State University vs Columbus State Community College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +108% | -224% |
| 10-year net gain | $72,301 | $-82,268 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $58,930 | $40,452 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $45,628 | — |
| Average net price | $14,764 | $8,400 |
| Median debt | $21,797 | $8,749 |
| Break-even | 4.8 yrs | — |
| Graduation rate | 51% | 28% |
| Admission rate | 91% | — |
Cleveland State University
Strong return
+$72,301 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Columbus State Community College
Poor return
$-82,268 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.