Central State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
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 Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,058
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,096 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 98.61% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 2,620 78.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 22.81%
- Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
- First-Generation Students: 40.0%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 31.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
- Average ACT Score: 16
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,004
- Applicants (IPEDS): 3,291
- Room & Board: $12,026 annual estimate
Central State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Central State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Central State University?
Central State University is located in Wilberforce, OH (ZIP 45384-1004).
Is Central State University public or private?
Central State University is a Public institution.
How much does Central State University cost?
Published tuition: $8,058 in-state, $10,058 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $13,096.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $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.
How hard is it to get into Central State University?
Admission rate: 98.61%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 16.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Central State University?
Total enrollment: 2,620 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,004 students.
Graduate enrollment: 43 students.
About 79% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Central State University?
150%-time completion rate: 22.81%.
First-year retention: 55.9%.
What do graduates of Central State University earn?
Median earnings: $27,173 six years after entry; $33,267 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $30,739.
52.70% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Central State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business/Commerce, General (332 completions)
- Education, General (242 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (204 completions)
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching (88 completions)
- 00.0300 (75 completions)
- Special Education and Teaching, General (26 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (15 completions)
- Psychology, General (15 completions)
- Social Work (12 completions)
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (8 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Central State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 98.61%; completion rate 22.81%; median earnings $33,267 at 10 years; net price $13,096. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,058
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Central State University was $8,058.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,096
2024 Value
In 2024 Central State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,096.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$52,384 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,096 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$32,232 4-Year In-State Tuition
$40,232 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,026 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,200 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$21,284 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$85,136 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Central State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
52.70% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
41.64% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
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.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
98.61% Acceptance Rate
3,291 Total Applicants
1,514 Students Admitted
574 First-Time Students Enrolled
37.91% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 16
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
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
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Black or African American at 57.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
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
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Central State University.
Return on Investment
$30,739 Median Student Debt
$33,267 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
92.40% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
535.06% Return on Investment
9.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Central State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 30 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business/Commerce, General: 332 completions
2. Education, General: 242 completions
3. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 204 completions
4. Early Childhood Education & Teaching: 88 completions
5. 00.0300: 75 completions
6. Special Education and Teaching, General: 26 completions
7. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 15 completions
8. Psychology, General: 15 completions
9. Social Work: 12 completions
Most popular programs at Central State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Central State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Central State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 100.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,698
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $4,813
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Central State University is a public institution located in Wilberforce, OH, classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business/Commerce, General, Education, General, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. Enrollment is approximately 2,620 students. Student body composition includes Black or African American (57.8%), Race/ethnicity unknown (14.2%), White (9.9%). The admission rate is 98.61%. Average ACT scores for admitted students are 16. The 150%-time completion rate is 22.81%. Approximately 52.70% of students receive Pell Grants. About 40.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
Location
Wilberforce, OH 45384-1004
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 22.81% graduation rate at Central State University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
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.
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 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.
Is Central State University an HBCU?
Yes. Central State University is flagged as a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in IPEDS.
Is Central State University a tribal college?
No. Central State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
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
- Ohio college costs
- Ohio colleges by ROI
- Wilberforce, Ohio city profile
- Great Lakes regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Ohio
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 for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.