Central State University (CSU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Regarded as one of the nation’s oldest historically black universities and the only one in Ohio, Central State University (CSU) is a public institution located in Wilberforce. The University boasts a 120-year legacy of academic and athletic accomplishments. What started off as a Combined Normal and Industrial Department at Wilberforce University in 1887, split from its parent institution and became the College of Education and Industrial Arts in 1947. The school was renamed Central State College in 1951 and finally received university status in 1965.

Information Summary

Ranks 67th in Ohio and 1695th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	69.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$19,278
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	18 / 880
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	54% / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	2,099

Academics

The university offers a variety of degree programs in diverse areas of study such as fine and performing arts, accounting and economics, humanities, business administration, natural science (biology, chemistry, physics), and manufacturing engineering.

Academics are organized into the following divisions: the College of Education, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Business and Industry. Apart from the main campus, the university also operates a Dayton campus that offers academic programs are accredited by the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools.

There are also a variety of support programs such as Honors Program Initiative, Center for Student Opportunities (CSO), CSU Learning Communities Initiative (CSULC), Institute of Urban Education, Ohio Minority Health Institute (OMHI), Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSP&R), and Summer Honors Institute for Gifted and Talented High School Students (SHI).

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Admissions are open. As the University operates on a semester system basis, students are encouraged to start in the fall semester, so that they can apply for any semester that is convenient to them.

The overall enrollment includes more than 2,500 students each year. Freshman students must send all of their official transcripts, high school or GED results, and ACT or SAT scores. The admission application deadlines are first week of June (Fall), first week of December (Spring), and the first week of May (Summer). Getting a transfer to the University is easy. Students must send in all official transcripts from previously attended institutes.

Financial Aid

Students who are unable to meet the higher education expenses can seek financial assistance from the college. All applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online. The university offers financial aid in various forms, and one important type is scholarships. Scholarships are funds that students don’t need to repay. Some of the scholarships offered at the University are General Alumni Association Scholarship, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dayton Association for Young Children DAYC Scholarship, Spencer A. Williams Art Scholarship, Rosa E. Black Well Scholarship, Alvin Cox Memorial Scholarship, Hazing Awareness Scholarship, Win-Win Plus Scholarship, among others.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 171st for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Ohio.

Students

The Student Government Association (SGA) represents the student population of the university. Its main function is to promote campus life, further the interests of the student body, and encourage students to develop leadership qualities. It the only student operated governing body that serves as the liaison between the students and the administration. There are several on-campus student clubs and organizations. Students can either join a club or create a new one.

Some of the on-campus student organizations are Book Lovers and Writer Club, Advancement of Colored People, Visual Arts Club, National Association of Black Journalists, Future Financial Analysts, Ladies of Dove, and the Hospitality Management Club. There is also a strong Greek life presence in the campus. The fraternities and sororities are governed by the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). The Greek organizations include Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Iota Phi Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Omega Psi Phi.

Media and Publications:

Marauder Magazine is the online newspaper, published every month.

The Gold Torch is the student newspaper of the university and it appears in both print and online editions. The newspaper reaches the entire community.

Campus Facilities:

The Career Services Center is a fully centralized and structured operation center, providing quality professional career counseling and life planning programs, and experiential opportunities for all students. Some of the important events and activities organized by the center are career counseling, on-campus interviewing, student/ teacher placement, networking events, referrals, credential services, up-to-date career library, and career day.

Residence Life is committed to developing leaders, enhancing communities and retaining the scholars. The residence life is an important part of the educational mission of the University. There are six residence halls in the campus, all equipped with modern conveniences. They are Williamson Hall, Hunter Hall, Green Hall, Anderson Hall, Foundation Hall, and Foundation Hall II. The housing complexes together can accommodate as many as 1300 students. Living in one of the residence halls is an important component of a student’s overall learning and personal growth experience.

Some of the important buildings on the campus include Benjamin Banneker Science Hall, Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium, Hallie Q. Brown Library/Clara A. Henderson Hall College of Education, Camille O. & William H. Cosby Mass Communication Center, Jenkins Technology Education Building, The C.J. McLin International Center, Lackey/Lee Health Center, McPherson Memorial Stadium, Lionel H. Newsom Administration Building, Norman E. Ward Sr. University Center, and Charles H. Wesley Hall.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The athletic department sponsors men’s and women’s teams that participate in diverse varsity sports such as basketball, football, cross country, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball. Sports teams compete in the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The football team participates in the Great Lakes Football Conference. They are nicknamed as Marauders and Lady Marauders. The colors are Maroon and Gold.

Alumni

Notable alumni include:

Hastings Kamuzu Banda, former President of Malawi
Leontyne Price, noted opera singer
John Roseboro, former professional baseball player
Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, noted actress of The Apprentice and Surreal Life fame

Accreditation

Accreditation is granted by the following agencies: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc., National Association of Schools of Music, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Ohio Department of Education.

Central State University