Central State University
Former name | Wilberforce State College (1887–1951) Central State College (1951–1965) |
|---|---|
| Type | Public land-grant historically black university |
| Established | 1887 |
Parent institution | University System of Ohio |
Academic affiliations | Space-grant |
| Endowment | $7.5 million (2021) |
| President | Morakinyo A.O. Kuti (February 2024-present) |
| Students | 5,434 (fall 2022) |
| Location | , , U.S. |
| Campus | Rural |
| Colors | Maroon & gold |
| Nickname | Marauders and Lady Marauders |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division II — SIAC |
| Mascot | Marauder Man |
| Website | centralstate.edu |
Central State University (CSU) is a public, historically black land-grant university in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Established by the state legislature in 1887 as a two-year program for teacher and industrial training, it was originally located with Wilberforce University, a four-year institution devoted to classical academic education. It was originally known as the Combined Normal and Industrial Department. In 1941 the college gained a four-year curriculum, independent status in 1947, and was renamed as Central State College in 1951. With further development, it gained university status in 1965. In 2014, Central State University received designation as a land-grant university.