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Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

14,000 Students on Campus
Cleveland Location
2,160,000 Metro Population
14,000 Students on Campus
Cleveland Location
2,160,000 Metro Population

About This Campus

Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution with nearly 9,000 undergraduates (14,000 overall), 5 colleges and schools and more than 175 academic programs. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU recently was ranked No. 1 in the nation for increases in research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation and is #1 in Ohio for upward mobility. Our dynamic campus in the heart of downtown Cleveland continues to evolve. CSU President Dr. Laura Bloomberg is the eighth president of the University.

Urban setting located blocks from Lake Erie and a thriving urban downtown

14 NCAA Division I Athletics; over 3,000 paid internship and co-op placements in the region each year

Campus chapters of Greek organizations from the IFC, NPHC Divine Nine and PHC

Helpful Information

We are a home payment campus and accept all qualified applicants. Because we offer multi-term course registration that opens in February before each new academic year, course availability is easily known well-advance through our course schedule feature. A majority of Cleveland State students work part or full-time and have outside responsibilities. Students from all backgrounds feel welcomed and at home at CSU.

Location Information

We are an urban university of 88 acres located in the heart of beautiful downtown Cleveland, OH. Adjacent to Playhouse Square, the largest theatre district outside New York City and located on the shores of Lake Erie. Cleveland is home to great arts, parks, history, and sports. Easy access around town is available with an RTA U-Pass. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is a quick 20 minute train ride away. Our state of the art Recreation Center is a favorite spot for students outside of class. Nearby attractions include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (.5 miles), Playhouse Square (.1 mile), the Cleveland Orchestra (.8 miles), Cuyahoga Valley National Park (5 miles), the home stadiums of our professional sports teams the Cleveland Browns, the Guardians and the Cavaliers as well as world-famous Cedar Point Amusement Park (60 miles) home to 18 roller coasters. We are halfway between Chicago and New York on Interstate 90 in the Great Lakes region.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/24/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/11/2026

Spring Start Date: 01/11/2027 - Spring End Date: 05/07/2027

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Nursing

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

School of Music, Education

OTHER ACADEMIC INFORMATION:

We offer multi-term course registration. In late February, the following academic year's registration window opens for all future terms, all at the same time. Therefore course availability is easily known and accessible far in advance of the exchange term. New as of Fall 2025, Cleveland State is offering of 12 integrated undergraduate majors that combine two interdisciplinary majors or focus areas. CSU is the only college or university in the region offering this type of degree pathway. For more information please visit: https://csuohio.edu/integrated

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Film & Media Arts BFA — Discover a well-rounded education in film production, screenwriting and digital media. Gain professional experience through internships and exhibit your creative work in public screenings and showcases for valuable exposure and networking opportunities within the industry.
  • Howard A Mims African-American Cultural Center — Embedded within the Africana Studies department, the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center was established at the time of CSU's founding 1964. The Center has a permanent collection of African art, displays contemporary and traditional works of African American artists, hosts revolving exhibits of the art, culture and history of people of Africa and the African Diaspora as well as providing formal and informal colloquia, films, video recordings, programs and activities designed for student retention. Programs include Umoja Roundtables, Africana Studies Ambassadors, Bridges to Africa and Kuumba Arts.
UNIQUE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Community Planning, BA — Become a problem solver for communities. This program will teach you how to find and fix problems, like making cities better places to live and more eco-friendly. This program provides a strong foundation in urban geography, political systems, and social matters.
  • Healthcare Management, BS — Gain an understanding of healthcare operations, policies, finance and ethics. You'll have an opportunity to engage in an internship, which can lead to job placement in your area of interest.
  • Music Therapy, BS — Music Therapy is an established, evidence-based health science profession in which music is used as a therapeutic tool to treat individuals with cognitive, behavioral, communicative, social/emotional, physical, or spiritual needs. The Cleveland State University Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy is accredited by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Our comprehensive program is grounded in both the art and science of music therapy. Successful completion of coursework in music therapy courses (including internship) at CSU prepares candidates for eligibility to sit for the national board certification examination administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). Once the exam is passed, the candidate receives the credential Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC) and is eligible to practice as a music therapist.
  • Non-Profit Administration, BA — Develop expertise in areas such as fundraising, grant writing, budgeting and strategic planning in nonprofit management. Gain hands-on experience through internships and a capstone project, allowing you to apply your learning in real-world settings and prepare to make a positive impact in the nonprofit sector.
  • Public Policy and Management, BA — Make meaningful contributions to your community and learn how to solve public issues through the use of practical skills, analytical prowess and ethical grounding. Prepare for a career as a policy analyst, public administrator, nonprofit leader or civic-minded professional in the private sector.
  • Sport and Entertainment Management, BA — This program provides a multidisciplinary, core business education and depth of knowledge in the management and marketing of organizations in the Sport and Entertainment industries to prepare graduates for careers in amateur, collegiate and professional sports as well as other entertainment organizations.
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: No

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Summer Exchange: Not Available
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)? Will accept on Home
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Home Pay
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 01/13/2026
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Not Available
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 18
  • Host Payment: 18
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Textbook Rental
$0
Term
Home
Optional
Technology Fee
$0
Term
Home
Optional
Parking Fee
$188
Term
Home
Optional
Transportation Fee
$55
Term
Home
Optional
IMPORTANT NOTES:

We are a home pay campus so you will continue to pay your tuition to your home university. However, some classes may include an additional tech fee for e-textbooks, etc which varies from course to course.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/12/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $5500
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Quite a number of apartment complexes are within walk-in distance to campus and are student-friendly.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $2500
  • Campus Meal Plans
Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

N/A

This campus is not accepting students on this tuition payment plan.

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Away Tuition Payment Plan

N/A

This campus is not accepting students on this tuition payment plan.

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: