Head-to-head · 2026
Cleveland State Community College vs Columbia State Community College
Side-by-side ROI breakdown. 2 wins for Cleveland State Community College, 3 for Columbia State Community College — Columbia State Community College has more metric-level advantages.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric, winner flagged
9 metrics, side by side. The colored cell wins. Green = lower-is-better wins, indigo = higher-is-better wins.
| Metric | Cleveland State Community College | Columbia State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 14.36 | 21.26 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $6,384 | $4,734 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $36,671 | $40,256 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 36.8% ✓ | 29.6% |
| Median debt | $7,954 ✓ | $8,500 |
| Enrollment | 1,975 | 3,897 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Wins | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Cleveland State Community College costs $1,650 more per year than Columbia State Community College ($6,384 vs $4,734). Columbia State Community College graduates report $3,585 higher median earnings after ten years ($40,256 vs $36,671). On EduGradify's model that puts Columbia State Community College ahead on projected ROI (21.26 vs 14.36, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Columbia State Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Cleveland State Community College vs Columbia State Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Cleveland State Community College or Columbia State Community College the better value?
Columbia State Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (21.26 vs 14.36), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Columbia State Community College is cheaper — average net price $4,734 per year vs $6,384 at Cleveland State Community College. The annual difference of $1,650 adds up to about $6,600 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia State Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $40,256 vs $36,671 at Cleveland State Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $3,585.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Cleveland State Community College reports a A value grade; Columbia State Community College reports A+.