Cleveland State University

What are the graduation rates for students at Cleveland State University?

Cleveland State University's overall graduation rate stands at 49%, placing it in the bottom 35% of institutions nationally. For male students, the graduation rate is slightly lower at 47%, which is also considered average and ranks in the bottom 40%. Female students graduate at a rate of 50%, a figure categorized as low and positioned in the bottom 30% percentile. These figures suggest relatively modest graduation outcomes compared to peer institutions.

The university's four-year graduation rate is 33%, indicating that about one-third of students complete their programs within the traditional timeframe. Meanwhile, the six-year graduation rate improves to 49%, reflecting that nearly half of the students finish within a slightly extended period. Both metrics fall within the average range but still remain in the lower tiers nationally.

Retention at Cleveland State University, which measures the percentage of first-year students who continue their studies the following year, is 69%. This rate is also average but ranks near the bottom third among similar schools.

While specific graduation rates by major or degree type are not detailed, the data highlights notable enrollment trends in programs such as Health Professions and Related Programs, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, and Psychology, which attract large student numbers. However, without major-level graduation details, it is unclear how graduation outcomes vary across these popular fields.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Cleveland State University?

Graduates from Cleveland State University experience a wide range of earning potentials depending on their chosen field of study. Those who majored in engineering and related technologies tend to achieve some of the highest earnings. For example, Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates can expect an average starting salary of around $67,483, while Mechanical Engineering graduates earn approximately $60,104. Computer Engineering also commands competitive earnings, with graduates earning about $59,475, closely followed by Chemical Engineering at $56,703 and Civil Engineering at $54,498. Additionally, Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians have reported earnings near $67,269, indicating strong pay in applied technical fields.

In the computing and information sciences area, students who completed a degree in Computer and Information Sciences generally earn around $57,594, while those in Information Science/Studies receive about $52,776 annually. This suggests a solid earning outlook in tech-related disciplines offered by the university.

Business-related degrees show respectable earnings as well. Graduates in Finance and Financial Management Services report average salaries of $44,661, while Accounting and Related Services come slightly lower at $44,473. Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates earn approximately $41,471, and Human Resources Management and Services around $41,052. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods stand out with an average earning potential of $53,426, making it a notable path for those interested in analytical and management careers.

For those pursuing careers in the health sector, Registered Nursing and its related fields provide an average income of $56,520, positioning it as another strong option for graduates. Additional healthcare-related fields such as Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions and Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science show moderate earnings of around $26,687 and $31,821, respectively.

Graduates in various science disciplines also see varied earning outcomes. Chemistry majors receive average earnings of $37,442, Mathematics graduates earn about $35,107, and Biology majors $29,683. Economics graduates report an average salary of $40,873, reflecting the applicability of this degree in different professional settings.

In social sciences and related fields, salaries are generally lower but still present opportunities. Criminology graduates make roughly $34,543, Sociology majors around $31,541, and Urban Studies/Affairs approximately $33,712. Social Work graduates earn about $30,859, which suggests a stable, though more modest, salary trajectory.

Degrees in communication and media-related areas show a broad spectrum of earnings. Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication graduates lead this group with an average of $35,505, followed by Communication and Media Studies at $31,197, and Design and Applied Arts at $31,582. These figures highlight viable paths for those interested in creative and media professions.

Less remunerative but still notable are degrees in language and humanities fields. Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics majors earn approximately $25,648, Music graduates about $25,295, and English Language and Literature roughly $24,171. Psychology graduates command about $26,208, reflecting moderate salary outcomes among these disciplines.