Central State University
Wilberforce, OH 45384-1004
About Central State University
Central State University is a public research university in Wilberforce, Ohio, serving roughly 2,620 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 98.61% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $33,267 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Central State University charges 46% above the national public median tuition ($8,058).
- Versus the Ohio median, sticker tuition is about 0.5×.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 22.81%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $33,267.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Central State University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 535% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central State University | $8,058 | $13,096 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Ohio (state median) | $15,202 | $12,090 | 154 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Central State University really?
Key findings
- Central State University charges 46% above the national public median tuition ($8,058).
- Versus the Ohio median, sticker tuition is about 0.5×.
Central State University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $8,058
Finding Central State University charges 46% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $8,058. That is 46% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Ohio median ($15,202), sticker tuition is about 0.5×. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 32% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Central State University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Central State University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Central State University is $13,096.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $13,096 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $1,006 above the Ohio median net price.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Central State University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Central State University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Central State University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$8,058
Out-of-state tuition
$10,058
Avg. net price
$13,096
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $19,581 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,161 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $8,773 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $10,343 |
| $110,001+ | $10,187 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $32,232. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Central State University is known for
Top program completions
- Business/Commerce, General332
- Education, General242
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies204
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching88
- 00.030075
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 38% of admitted students enrolled.
- Midpoint ACT: 16
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Central State University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Central State University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Central State University.
Campus
Location
Wilberforce, OH
City / state
- ZIP
- 45384-1004
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Great Lakes
- Carnegie
- Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
Size
Enrollment
2,620
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 3,004
- Graduate
- 43
- Full-time share
- 79%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$30,739
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 52.70%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Central State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Central State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Central State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,058 | $13,510 | $11,172 |
| 2014 | $6,246 | $13,928 | $11,662 |
| 2015 | $6,246 | $13,928 | $10,802 |
| 2016 | $6,246 | $8,096 | $13,211 |
| 2017 | $6,246 | $8,096 | $13,862 |
| 2018 | $6,346 | $8,346 | $13,310 |
| 2019 | $6,726 | $8,726 | $10,451 |
| 2020 | $6,726 | $8,726 | $11,810 |
| 2021 | $7,262 | $9,262 | $12,617 |
| 2022 | $7,596 | $9,596 | $12,557 |
| 2023 | $7,824 | $9,824 | $16,544 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Midpoint 16 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Central State University reported total enrollment of about 2,620 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 36% male and 64% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Black or African American (57.8%), Race/ethnicity unknown (14.2%), and White (9.9%). About 52.70% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 40.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
78.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Central State University in 2024 is 2,620 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,004 students. Graduate enrollment is about 43 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
55.9%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
12.80% 100% Completion Time
22.81% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 12.80% of students graduating from Central State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business/Commerce, General: 36% male / 64% female
- Education, General: 10% male / 90% female
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 48% male / 52% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Central State University graduates earn a median of $33,267 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Central State University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $33,267. Median federal loan debt: $30,739. Average net price used in cost models: $13,096.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Central State University graduates report median earnings of $33,267 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Central State University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (30 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Central State University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Central State University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Central State University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$7.1M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Ohio median 0.29× the median ($24.2M)
- Great Lakes median 0.22× the median ($31.8M)
- U.S. median 0.27× the median ($26.4M)
- Ohio median 0.10× the median ($15,287)
- Great Lakes median 0.09× the median ($16,690)
- U.S. median 0.13× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Ohio median 45.1 pp above median (54.9%)
- Great Lakes median 41.9 pp above median (58.1%)
- U.S. median 42.0 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $7,698
- Ohio median near the median ($7,463)
- Great Lakes median near the median ($8,046)
- U.S. median near the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $4,813
- Ohio median 0.63× the median ($7,640)
- Great Lakes median 0.63× the median ($7,690)
- U.S. median 0.66× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Central State University at a glance
Central State University
Central State University is a public institution in Wilberforce, OH, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business/Commerce, GeneralEducation, GeneralCriminal Justice/Safety Studies
- Largest enrollment groups
- Black or African American57.8%Race/ethnicity unknown14.2%White or Caucasian9.9%
Schools near Central State University
Other campuses in Wilberforce, OH when available, plus nearby institutions in Ohio.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade F) within Ohio, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Central State University located?
Central State University is located in Wilberforce, OH.
What is Central State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Central State University is 98.6% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 3,291 applicants and 1,514 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Central State University's tuition?
Central State University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $8,058 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $13,096 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Central State University cost?
Reported tuition is $8,058 and average net price is $13,096 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,026 annually.
What explains Central State University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($13,096), completion (22.8% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($33,267). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Central State University?
Central State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 3,004 students, Black or African American (57.8%), Race/ethnicity unknown (14.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Central State University?
About 40.0% of students at Central State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Central State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Central State University reports midpoint ACT about 16.
What do graduates of Central State University earn?
Median earnings are $27,173 six years after entry and $33,267 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Central State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 22.8% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Central State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $30,739.
Is Central State University public or private?
Central State University is a public institution located in Wilberforce, OH.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.