Cleveland State University admissions run on rolling review, admitting undergraduate applicants who complete Class XII with 60% or higher and postgraduate applicants who hold a Bachelor’s degree with roughly 60 to 65% (a 3.0 GPA equivalent) alongside verified English proficiency scores.
- Next live deadlines: Spring 2027 closes October 1, 2026 (undergraduate) and December 10, 2026 (postgraduate); Fall 2027 primary intake closes July 1, 2027.
- Base tuition (2026-27): undergraduate USD 17,973 to 26,826 (INR 17.21 to 25.68 Lakhs) per year, postgraduate USD 10,155 to 30,314 (INR 9.72 to 29.03 Lakhs) per year; application fee USD 40 (INR 3,830).
- Eligibility criteria: UG Class XII at 60% with IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 78; PG Bachelor’s plus 3.0 GPA (around 60 to 65%) plus IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 78.
- Acceptance rate: around 85%, one of the more accessible public US universities for Indian applicants who clear the stated floor.
Indian-applicant demand at Cleveland State University concentrates on MS Computer Science, MBA at the Monte Ahuja College of Business, and MS Mechanical Engineering, with reviews citing affordable public-university tuition and Cleveland’s healthcare and manufacturing employer base as the reasons students commit.

Currency note: All INR figures in this article use USD 1 = INR 95.75 (August 2026). Live rates may vary, so confirm with your bank before remitting.
Cleveland State University is accepting applications for Spring 2027 (UG deadline October 1, 2026; PG deadline December 10, 2026) and for Fall 2027, the primary intake, which closes July 1, 2027. Application fee is USD 40 (INR 3,830), with a limited waiver in effect through Fall 2027 per CSU.
- Cleveland State University Application Deadlines
- Cleveland State University Admissions Eligibility
- Cleveland State University Postgraduate Programs
- Cleveland State University Undergraduate Programs
- Cleveland State University MBA Admissions
- Cleveland State University Application Process
- Cleveland State University Admission Decisions
- Cleveland State University Documents Required
- Cleveland State University Acceptance Rate
- USA F-1 Student Visa for Cleveland State University
- Tips for Cleveland State University Admissions
- Cleveland State University Admissions: Frequently Asked Questions
Cleveland State University Application Deadlines for Indian Students
Cleveland State University runs a rolling-review calendar with three intakes: Fall (August start), Spring (January start), and Summer (May start), per the CSU international admissions calendar. Fall is the primary intake because most programs open here, and Indian applicants should treat it as the default choice unless a program specifically prefers another term.
| Intake | Level | App Opens | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 (January) | Undergraduate | Open now | October 1, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 (January) | Postgraduate | Open now | December 10, 2026 |
| Summer 2027 (May) | All levels | Open now | April 13, 2027 |
| Fall 2027 (August) — Primary intake | Undergraduate | Open now | July 1, 2027 |
| Fall 2027 (August) — Primary intake | Postgraduate | Open now | July 1, 2027 |
Planning note: Because credential evaluations from WES, ECE, or TEC can take 4 to 6 weeks, Indian applicants targeting the Spring 2027 undergraduate slot should order transcripts and start the evaluation by mid-August 2026 so the October 1 deadline stays workable.
Also read: US University Application Deadlines
Cleveland State University Admissions Eligibility for Indian Students
Cleveland State University publishes institution-wide academic and English floors that every Indian applicant must clear before any program-specific requirement kicks in. Individual departments — engineering in particular — can raise these floors, but the minimums below are the baseline.
Cleveland State University Academic Requirements
- UG general entry: Class XII at 60% or higher (a 2.3 GPA equivalent) from a recognised Indian board.
- PG general entry: 3 or 4-year Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA equivalent, roughly 60 to 65% in most Indian universities.
- College of Engineering PG: TOEFL iBT subscores must be Reading 20, Listening 21, Writing 17, Speaking 20 — higher than the institution floor.
- Credential evaluation: foreign transcripts must be evaluated by WES, ECE, or The Evaluation Company (TEC) before a decision is issued.
Cleveland State University English Proficiency Minimums
| Test | Undergraduate Minimum | Postgraduate Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 78 (17 in each section) | 78 (17 in each section) |
| IELTS | 6.0 (5.0 in each section) | 6.0 (5.0 in each section) |
| PTE | 50 | 50 |
| Duolingo English Test | 105 | 105 |
| iTEP | 3.8 | 3.8 |
Cleveland State University English Waiver for Indian Students:
India is not on CSU’s list of TOEFL-exempted countries, so most Indian applicants will need to submit a test score. Three waiver routes remain open in specific cases:
- You already hold a Bachelor’s or higher degree from a US institution where the primary language of instruction is English.
- You complete the CSU IELP (Intensive English Language Program) Advanced Level with 80% or better — a bridge pathway if your test score falls short.
- You complete Level 112 at any ELS Language Center.
Cleveland State University Postgraduate Programs for Indian Students
Cleveland State University offers over 60 master’s programs open to international applicants, with Indian demand concentrated in the Washkewicz College of Engineering, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and the Monte Ahuja College of Business. Base tuition for postgraduate international students in 2026-27 ranges from USD 10,155 to USD 30,314 (INR 9.72 to 29.03 Lakhs) per year; see the course-wise fees breakdown for exact per-program figures.
| Programme | Duration | Minimum Eligibility | English Req. Min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Computer Science | 2 years | Bachelor’s in CS or related discipline with 3.0 GPA (around 60 to 65%) | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
| MS Civil Engineering | 2 years | Bachelor’s in engineering, 3.0 GPA | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 (Engineering subscore floors apply) |
| MS Mechanical Engineering | 2 years | Bachelor’s in mechanical or related engineering, 3.0 GPA | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 (Engineering subscores) |
| MS Electrical Engineering | 2 years | Bachelor’s in electrical engineering or related, 3.0 GPA | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 (Engineering subscores) |
| MS Environmental Engineering | 2 years | Bachelor’s in engineering or environmental science, 3.0 GPA | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 (Engineering subscores) |
| Master of Information Systems (MIS) | 2 years | Bachelor’s degree, 3.0 GPA; quantitative background preferred | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
| MS Data Science and Analytics | 2 years | Bachelor’s in a quantitative discipline, 3.0 GPA | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
| MS Biomedical Engineering | 2 years | Bachelor’s in engineering or biological sciences, 3.0 GPA | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 (Engineering subscores) |
| Master of Urban Planning and Development | 2 years | Bachelor’s in any discipline, 3.0 GPA | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
| MS Nursing (MSN) | 2 years | BSN with 3.0 GPA plus RN licensure documentation | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
Note: Program-specific entry requirements, fees, and intake availability may differ from the institution-wide minimums shown above. Always confirm on the official CSU College of Graduate Studies page for your chosen program before applying.
Cleveland State University Undergraduate Programs for Indian Students
Cleveland State University offers over 100 undergraduate majors across seven colleges. Indian first-year applicants apply directly to a major and must clear the same institution-wide floor across every program. Base undergraduate tuition for international students ranges from USD 17,973 to 26,826 (INR 17.21 to 25.68 Lakhs) per year in 2026-27, with engineering and nursing at the upper end.
| Programme | Duration | Minimum Eligibility | English Req. Min. |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS Computer Science | 4 years | Class XII at 60% with Mathematics studied through Class XII | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
| BS Mechanical Engineering | 4 years | Class XII at 60% with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
| BS Electrical Engineering | 4 years | Class XII at 60% with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
| BS Civil Engineering | 4 years | Class XII at 60% with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | 4 years | Class XII at 60%, any stream | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4 years | Class XII at 60% with Biology; competitive nursing prerequisites | IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 78 |
Cleveland State University MBA Admissions for Indian Students
The Monte Ahuja College of Business runs a full-time MBA, a part-time MBA, and an online accelerated MBA. Indian applicants most often target the on-campus full-time route because it qualifies for the F-1 visa. The program admits on a rolling basis, so earlier files receive earlier decisions.
Cleveland State University MBA Eligibility
- Degree: 3 or 4-year Bachelor’s from a recognised university with a 3.0 GPA equivalent (around 60 to 65%).
- GMAT or GRE: not required. Monte Ahuja waives the GMAT and GRE for MBA applicants, with waivers available for other master’s programs based on academic strength.
- English: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 78 unless applying from a TOEFL-exempted country.
- Work experience: full-time and part-time MBA do not enforce a minimum year floor; the online accelerated MBA rewards prior professional experience during application review.
Cleveland State University MBA Rounds and Interviews
The Monte Ahuja MBA uses rolling admissions rather than fixed rounds, with target submission dates matching institution-wide intake deadlines — December 10, 2026 for Spring 2027, April 13, 2027 for Summer 2027, and July 1, 2027 for Fall 2027. Interviews are optional at the reviewer’s discretion and typically conducted online for international candidates.
The MBA base tuition falls within the postgraduate range shown earlier. For per-course fee detail and the current scholarship pool for Indian applicants, see the Monte Ahuja MBA program page.
Cleveland State University Application Process for Indian Students
The application runs entirely online through CSU’s admissions portal. Indian applicants should sequence document collection first because credential evaluations and English test slots have the longest lead time.
- Create your account on go.csuohio.edu/portal/apply and select your intake term (Spring 2027, Summer 2027, or Fall 2027) and program.
- Order transcript evaluation from WES, ECE, or TEC. Costs run around USD 220 (INR 21,065) and take 4 to 6 weeks.
- Book your English test if you have not already. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are all accepted at the levels shown in the Eligibility section.
- Upload supporting documents including passport bio page, transcripts, English score report, SOP, and financial affidavit.
- Pay the application fee of USD 40 (INR 3,830) on the CSU application portal. The fee is waived through Fall 2027 per CSU, so confirm the current status at checkout.
- Submit and track status. Save the reference number and monitor the portal for document requests from the international admissions team.
Cleveland State University Admission Decisions for Indian Students
Because the university reviews applications on a rolling basis, decision speed depends on when your file is complete rather than a fixed release date. Indian applicants typically see the following pattern after all documents are on file.
- Decision turnaround: most complete applications receive a decision within 3 to 4 weeks; peak-cycle files may take longer.
- Offer letter: issued digitally through the applicant portal, followed by an I-20 request form for visa processing.
- Acceptance response: confirm your seat by paying the tuition deposit and returning the completed I-20 request form with financial documentation.
- I-20 issuance: the CISP international team requires a minimum of 10 business days from receipt of complete documents to issue the I-20 by email.
- Deferral: admitted students may request a one-term or one-year deferral before enrolling; requests are reviewed case by case.
Cleveland State University Documents Required for Indian Students
Cleveland State University asks Indian applicants for a defined document set. Missing items are the single biggest reason files stall, so gather originals and scanned copies before you begin the online form.
- Passport bio page — the name on the passport must match the application exactly.
- Official academic transcripts from every secondary school and college attended, sent directly by the institution.
- Credential evaluation report from WES, ECE, or TEC (course-by-course for graduate applicants).
- English test score report sent by the testing service.
- Statement of Purpose outlining academic goals and program fit.
- Letters of recommendation — typically two for undergraduate, two to three for graduate programs.
- Resume or CV covering academic, project, and any work experience.
- Financial documentation — original bank statement in your or your sponsor’s name, dated within the past 6 months, showing one full academic year of tuition plus living expenses. Two original sets are needed, one for CSU and one for the US embassy.
- Program-specific items such as a portfolio for design, GRE waiver justification, or nursing licensure paperwork if applicable.
Insider note: CSU asks for financial documents dated within the last six months of your I-20 request. If you build a fixed deposit for visa purposes in advance, refresh the bank certificate close to the I-20 submission date to avoid rework.
Cleveland State University Acceptance Rate for Indian Students
Cleveland State University does not publish a formal international-only acceptance rate. Third-party estimates put the overall figure at around 85%, placing it in the accessible tier of US public universities. Indian applicants who clear the stated floors on academics and English typically receive an admit decision without needing exceptional credentials.
Cleveland State University Undergraduate Acceptance Trends
Applications rose from roughly 7,752 to over 10,000 in the most recent reporting cycle, though the acceptance rate held near the historic 80 to 90% band. The Mandel Honors College is a separate track with higher expectations — a strong Class XII score plus a competitive essay.
Insider note: The most common cause of a denied Indian file at CSU is not academic weakness — it is an incomplete or unverified financial affidavit at the I-20 stage. Treat the bank certificate with the same seriousness as your transcripts.
Also read: US Universities with High Acceptance Rate
USA F-1 Student Visa for Cleveland State University Admissions
Once Cleveland State University issues your I-20 form, you apply for the F-1 student visa at the nearest US embassy or consulate in India. Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (USD 350, around INR 33,513) online before booking your visa interview and pay the visa fee (currently USD 185, around INR 17,714) through the standard Indian VAC payment channel. Carry your original financial documents, I-20, admission letter, and academic records to the interview. Post-arrival, complete the mandatory international check-in at CISP within the first week.
2026 update: US visa appointment slots in India remain in demand, especially in April to July for the Fall intake. Applying for your I-20 immediately after admission and booking the visa slot the same day both raise your chance of a workable interview date.
Tips for Cleveland State University Admissions
The following tips are drawn from Indian-applicant patterns at Cleveland State University over recent cycles.
- Prioritise Fall 2027 if flexible: the primary intake opens every program and typically offers the widest scholarship pool.
- Order WES or ECE evaluation early: the 4 to 6 week turnaround is the single biggest bottleneck for Indian files.
- Aim above the English floor: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 improves your competitiveness for graduate assistantships, which cut tuition by a large margin.
- Explore the IELP bridge pathway: if your English score falls short, CSU’s own intensive program is a documented route to full admission.
- Keep bank documents fresh: refresh your financial certificate within 6 months of the I-20 request, not the application date.
- Check funding options for Indian students: CSU scholarships cover partial expenses around USD 5,000 (INR 4.79 Lakhs); confirm eligibility on the international admissions page.
Cleveland State University suits Indian applicants who want an accessible US public-university admit at moderate cost, backed by rolling review and a wide program list across engineering, business, and health. Match the 60% academic and IELTS 6.0 floor, complete the credential evaluation on time, and the file typically converts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the next open intake at Cleveland State University for Indian students?
Ans. Spring 2027 is the next live intake, with the undergraduate deadline on October 1, 2026 and the postgraduate deadline on December 10, 2026. Fall 2027 (the primary intake) closes July 1, 2027.
Ques. What IELTS or TOEFL score does Cleveland State University require?
Ans. The institution-wide minimum is IELTS 6.0 (5.0 in each section) or TOEFL iBT 78 (17 in each section). PTE 50 and Duolingo 105 are also accepted. Engineering programs enforce higher TOEFL subscores.
Ques. Is GMAT or GRE required for MBA at Cleveland State University?
Ans. No. The Monte Ahuja College of Business waives the GMAT and GRE for MBA admission. Some other graduate programs may also grant waivers based on academic strength.
Ques. What is the application fee at Cleveland State University?
Ans. Standard USD 40 (INR 3,830), with USD 55 (INR 5,266) for the Master of Occupational Therapy and Master of Science in Nursing. CSU has extended a waiver through Fall 2027, so confirm the status at checkout on the portal.
Ques. Does Cleveland State University accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from Indian universities?
Ans. No. India is not on CSU’s TOEFL-exempted list, so Indian applicants must submit a valid English test score or use one of the pathway waivers (CSU IELP Advanced with 80%, ELS Level 112, or a prior US degree in English).
Ques. What GPA does Cleveland State University require for Indian graduate applicants?
Ans. A 3.0 GPA equivalent on the 4.0 scale, which typically maps to 60 to 65% in most Indian universities. The College of Engineering can enforce higher expectations for competitive tracks.
Ques. How long does credential evaluation take for Indian applicants?
Ans. WES, ECE, and TEC typically take 4 to 6 weeks after all transcripts arrive. Order the evaluation as soon as you download your final semester marksheet to avoid delaying the CSU decision.
Ques. Is Cleveland State University a rolling-admission university?
Ans. Yes, applications are reviewed as they come in rather than in fixed rounds. Submitting early improves your chance of a workable I-20 issuance date and visa slot.
Ques. What financial documents does CSU require for the I-20?
Ans. An original bank statement in your name or a sponsor’s name, dated within the past six months, showing at least one academic year of tuition plus living costs. Two originals are needed — one for CSU and one for the US embassy interview.
Ques. How long does Cleveland State University take to issue the I-20?
Ans. The CISP international team takes a minimum of 10 business days from receipt of the completed I-20 request form and financial documents. Submit at least six weeks before international orientation.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate at Cleveland State University for Indian students?
Ans. Cleveland State University does not publish an official international-only figure. Third-party estimates put the overall acceptance rate at around 85%, making CSU one of the more accessible US public universities for Indians who meet the academic and English floors.
Ques. Can I defer my Cleveland State University admission to the next intake?
Ans. Yes, admitted students can request a one-term or one-year deferral. Requests are reviewed by the admissions office on a case-by-case basis and must be submitted in writing before the term start date.
College Student Profiles
Cleveland State University Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
M.S Electrical Engineering 2 years | Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (15th Oct 2026) | USD 24,180 /Yr | 40 | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 78, PTE: 50, Duolingo-110 |
MCS 2 years | USD 24,180 /Yr | 40 | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 78, PTE: 50, Duolingo-105 | |
MIS 2 years | Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Nov 2026) | USD 18,602 /Yr | 40 | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 78, PTE: 50, Duolingo-105 |
M.B.A 1 year | Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Nov 2026) | USD 24,180 /Yr | 40 | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 78, PTE: 50, Duolingo-110 |
B.S Computer Science 4 years | Application Deadline for Spring 2027 Intake (1st Dec 2026) | USD 21,910 /Yr | 40 | IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 78, PTE: 50 |
| USD 24,180 /Yr | 40 | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 78, PTE: 50, Duolingo-105 | ||
M.S Mechanical Engineering 2 years | Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (15th Oct 2026) | USD 24,180 /Yr | 40 | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 78, PTE: 50, Duolingo-110 |
MSc Computer Science 2 years | Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (15th Oct 2026) | USD 24,180 /Yr | 40 | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 78, PTE: 50, Duolingo-110 |
M.S Civil Engineering 2 years | USD 24,180 /Yr | 40 | GPA: 3.0, IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 78, PTE: 50, Duolingo-105 | |
Application Deadline for Spring 2027 Intake (1st Dec 2026) | USD 21,910 /Yr | - | - |
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8 Reviews Found
Likes
- The overall experience is good for an Tier 2 university.
- Cleveland is a place that's very much affordable in terms of accommodations and transportation through bus.
- The on-campus part time opportunities are really great compared to other universities.
Likes
- Diverse Campus Community- Diversified cultured students from all over the globe.
- Urban Location- Situated in Downtown of Cleveland
- Affordable Tuition- Tuition costs differs from other universities and provides emi plans to pay tuition
Dislikes
- Limited Campus Life- Most of the students live off campus so there's limited engagement.
- Parking Challenges- Parking is expensive and hard to find the spots around campus.
- Academia is Old Fashioned in most of the branches- Computer Science students feels like there's no updation in content.
Scholarship
- 1000$ throughout 2 years of study.
- On average, students receive the same amount and roughly 99% receive it.
- All of my batchmates received the same scholarship but some of them 1% didn't due to their consultancy tie-up. If you do well in studies, students tend to achieve scholarship grants as financial aid too, which is helpful to have their tuition fee reimbursed.
Overview
Again just ideal scores in SAT and Boards, if you opted for AP exams then good scores in that as well
Scholarship
Yes, $10000 Scholarship
Overview
I had friends who previously studied here and they suggested I take this university.
Scholarship
No, I didn't receive any scholarship.
Overview
I chose this college because it is known to have a good science program. CSU also is in partnership with NEOMED (Northeastern Ohio Medical School) and offers students along the pre-pharmacy track an opportunity to achieve Their pharmacy degree in 6 years. 3 years at CSU and 3 years at NEOMED (considering you provide the proper grades and test scores to pass).
Scholarship
Yes, I was awarded financial aid from the government. I was able to receive both the Pell grant and offered loans from them. Unfortunately, though my pell grant seemed extremely low and almost pointless at CSU in comparison to how much I've received at other schools (even though my income has not changed significantly) so I'm not sure if that is only because of the school or the government.
Overview
First reason is the university has a good structure of the education. And there are many people coming from India to this university.
Scholarship
N/A
Overview
downtown life, state is nice and friends were already there.
Scholarship
International Entrance Award
Overview
Their were many factors for example: Indian Crowd Low cost of living Professor have similar field of interest that was mine Flexibility of curriculum Research and Technology aspects are way good
Scholarship
I got Academic Excellence which is 1000$/year.




















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