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Youngstown State University

Public Graduate Good 67/100

Youngstown State University

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Youngstown, Ohio

About Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Youngstown, Ohio. It enrolls 7,961 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Official website: ysu.edu

Acceptance: 84.5%
Graduation: 37.7%
Net Price: $12,767
Median Earnings (10yr): $41,544
Enrollment: 7,961
Student : Faculty: 18:1

Accreditor Higher Learning Commission

Academic Calendar Semester

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Good

67/100

UCD Score · 4-Year Selective

Outcomes 42

Value 67

Affordability 68

Selectivity 32

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

With an acceptance rate of 84.5%, Youngstown State University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.

Acceptance Rate

84.5%

Easy

SAT Range (25th–75th)

1010 – 1230

Reading + Math combined

ACT Range (25th–75th)

19 – 25

Cumulative composite

Test Policy Not Considered Standardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.

5-Year Admission Trend

Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Youngstown State University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.

Becoming less selective ↑ 12.9 pts since 2019

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending Youngstown State University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $12,767 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.

Average Net Price

$12,767

Per year, after typical aid

Receive Pell Grants

34%

Need-based federal aid

Receive Federal Loans

38%

Borrowing to attend

Full Cost Breakdown

Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.

Tuition & Fees (in-state): $11,113
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state): $11,473
Room & Board (on-campus): $11,730
Room & Board (off-campus): $11,730
Books & Supplies: $1,200
Other Expenses (on-campus): $4,680
Other Expenses (off-campus): $4,680
Total Cost of Attendance: $21,708

Application fee: $45 (one-time, due at submission)

Net Price by Family Income

Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.

Under $30,000

$9,328
$30,001 – $48,000

$9,421
$48,001 – $75,000

$13,369
$75,001 – $110,000

$16,249
Over $110,000

$18,235

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$2,751

10% percentile

$6,002

25% percentile

$24,000

Median percentile

$31,000

75% percentile

$46,350

90% percentile

Median Debt by Student Type

Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.

GroupDebtvs Median

Pell recipients $17,250 ↓ $6,750

No Pell $13,750 ↓ $10,250

Dependent students $15,000 ↓ $9,000

Independent students $18,750 ↓ $5,250

Female students $16,750 ↓ $7,250

Male students $14,284 ↓ $9,716

Worth knowing: Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,250, less than completers ($24,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.

Graduation Rate & Retention

38% of full-time students who enrolled at Youngstown State University graduate within six years, and 76% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate

38%

Of students who graduate within six years

First-Year Retention

76%

Returning for their second year

What this means: Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Youngstown State University earn a median of $41,544 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)

$41,544

Earning > $25K

66%

10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

Earnings by Demographic

Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.

By Gender

Female graduates

$33,900

Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.

Male graduates

$47,300

Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.

By Family Income at Entry

Family income (lowest third)

$34,500

Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (middle third)

$42,200

Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.

Family income (highest third)

$45,200

Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.

The gender gap: Male graduates earn $13,400, about 28% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.

Loan Repayment Progression

Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.

Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑ 20.2 pts across 6 years

What this signals: Strong. 78% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.

Who Studies Here

Youngstown State University is home to 7,961 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 38% are first-generation college students.

Total Enrolled

7,961

Part-Time

14%

First-Generation

38%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents

White 65.7% 5,226

International 11.5% 919

Black 8.0% 637

Hispanic 4.9% 387

Other 3.9% 312

Asian 1.6% 128

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at Youngstown State University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting

Small City Youngstown, Ohio

Housing

Limited on-campus housing 1,160 beds

Adult Learners

10% of students are 25 or older

Athletics

NCAA athletic-conference member

Academic Calendar

Semester scheduling structure

What You Can Study

Youngstown State University offers an extensive catalog of programs: 123 distinct programs across 25 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

13 Programs

Business

Business $68K ($48K–$95K)
Business Administration $68K ($48K–$94K)
Business Administration $68K ($48K–$94K)

18 Programs

Health

Nursing $89K ($68K–$114K)
Nursing $89K ($68K–$114K)
Rehabilitation $56K ($40K–$74K)

10 Programs

Engineering

Mechanical Engineering $92K ($78K–$109K)
Electrical Engineering $101K ($85K–$122K)
Civil Engineering $87K ($74K–$101K)

2 Programs

Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts $53K ($36K–$73K)
Liberal Arts $53K ($36K–$73K)

2 Programs

Public Administration

Social Work $52K ($39K–$64K)
Social Work $52K ($39K–$64K)

3 Programs

Biology

Biology $57K ($39K–$79K)
Biochemistry & Biophysics $65K ($45K–$88K)
Biology $57K ($39K–$79K)

View all majors View all programs

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at Youngstown State University is 18:1, on the higher side.

Student : Faculty

18:1

Students per instructional faculty member

Instruction / Student

$9,959

Annual instructional spending per enrolled student

Endowment

$323M

Solid financial position

Avg Faculty Salary

$75,135

9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

321 instructional faculty across 4 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank	Faculty Count	Share	Avg Salary
Full Professors	120	37%	$86,958
Associate Professors	80	25%	$78,211
Assistant Professors	43	13%	$73,551
Lecturers	78	24%	$54,663

Pros & Cons of Youngstown State University

A quick at-a-glance summary of how Youngstown State University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS

Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants

CONS

Class sizes are on the higher side
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Modest first-year retention
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side

Best for: Based on the data, Youngstown State University is a fit for students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.

Frequently Asked Questions about Youngstown State University

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Youngstown State University.

Is Youngstown State University hard to get into?

Youngstown State University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 84.5%.

What is the acceptance rate at Youngstown State University?

Youngstown State University has an acceptance rate of 84.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.

What SAT score do you need for Youngstown State University?

The middle 50% of admitted students at Youngstown State University scored between 1010 and 1230 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

What ACT score do you need for Youngstown State University?

The middle 50% of admitted students at Youngstown State University scored between 19 and 25 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.

How much does Youngstown State University cost?

The average net price after aid at Youngstown State University is $12,767 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.

Is Youngstown State University worth it?

Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $41,544 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $12,767 per year. That's roughly 3.3x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.

What is Youngstown State University known for?

Youngstown State University is best known for its programs in Business, Nursing, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

What do Youngstown State University graduates earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entering Youngstown State University are $41,544, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.

Is Youngstown State University accredited?

Yes. Youngstown State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

How many students attend Youngstown State University?

Youngstown State University enrolls 7,961 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.

What is the graduation rate at Youngstown State University?

Youngstown State University graduates 38% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

Is Youngstown State University a public or private college?

Youngstown State University is a Public institution.

Where is Youngstown State University located?

Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, Ohio.

What programs does Youngstown State University offer?

Youngstown State University offers 123 distinct programs. The most popular include Business, Nursing, Business Administration.

What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Youngstown State University?

The student-to-faculty ratio at Youngstown State University is 18:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.