Best colleges in the Cleveland area
Colleges within 30 miles of Cleveland, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges in the Cleveland area6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Campus within 30 miles of the center of Cleveland (straight-line distance from the school’s coordinates).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#2 in Ohio
- Net price $41,190 a year
- 87% graduate
- 2
Cleveland Institute of Music
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit#12 in Ohio
- Net price $28,226 a year
- 72% graduate
- 3
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH · Private nonprofitTop 12% for graduation
- Net price $28,746 a year
- 79% graduate
- 4
Baldwin Wallace University
Berea, OH · Private nonprofit#22 in Ohio
- Net price $27,603 a year
- 67% graduate
- 5
Cleveland Institute of Art
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit#25 in Ohio
- Net price $29,208 a year
- 58% graduate
- 6
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve University | $41,190 | $24,000 | $87,989 | 87% |
| Cleveland Institute of Music | $28,226 | $24,968 | $32,641 | 72% |
| John Carroll University | $28,746 | $26,000 | $62,860 | 79% |
| Baldwin Wallace University | $27,603 | $27,000 | $54,122 | 67% |
| Cleveland Institute of Art | $29,208 | $27,000 | $42,509 | 58% |
| Ursuline College | $16,164 | $26,250 | $56,878 | 67% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.