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Head-to-head comparison

Cleveland State University vs Capital University: which has better ROI?

Public, Cleveland OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbus OH

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University

Net price / year
$14,764
Earnings, 10 years
$52,131
Payback
15.7 yrs

Option B Columbus, OH

Capital University

Net price / year
$22,576
Earnings, 10 years
$54,143
Payback
15.6 yrs
The verdict

Capital University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $90,304 in 15.6 years versus 15.7 years at Cleveland State University, on median earnings of $54,143 vs $52,131 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCleveland State UniversityCapital University
Net price / yr$14,764$22,576
Total net cost$59,056$90,304
Median earnings, 10 yrs$52,131$54,143
Median debt$21,797$26,889
Payback15.7 yrs15.6 yrs
20-year net return$16,364$25,356

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Cleveland State University or Capital University?

Cleveland State University, at $14,764 a year after aid versus $22,576 — a gap of $7,812 a year, or $31,248 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Cleveland State University or Capital University graduates earn more?

Capital University graduates report a median $54,143 ten years after entry, $2,012 more than the $52,131 at Cleveland State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Cleveland State University or Capital University?

Cleveland State University: its completers carry a median $21,797 in federal loans versus $26,889 at Capital University, a difference of $5,092. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

60% of students finish at Capital University, against 51% at Cleveland State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Cleveland State University vs Capital University: frequently asked questions

Is Cleveland State University or Capital University a better value?
Capital University. It clears its $90,304 net cost in about 15.6 years versus 15.7 years at Cleveland State University, on median earnings of $54,143 vs $52,131 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Cleveland State University or Capital University?
Cleveland State University: $14,764/yr net price after aid versus $22,576/yr at Capital University — a difference of $7,812 a year, or about $31,248 over four years.
Do Cleveland State University or Capital University graduates earn more?
Capital University graduates earn a median $54,143 ten years after entry, versus $52,131 at Cleveland State University — a $2,012 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.