Youngstown State University
#4 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Ohio- Graduation Rate
- 52% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $41,544 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,767 B-
- 25% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 84% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.2 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $18.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $879,624.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Every $1 invested returns $18.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 75%
- Patents
- 19
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 0
- Downstream influence
Why Youngstown State University Matters
Youngstown State University is a public university in Youngstown, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 7,961
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Humanities, Education
Why students choose Youngstown State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 84% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1010–1230. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,767 a year after grants and scholarships — 25% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $41,544 ten years after enrolling — 2% above the typical college, against $24,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 57% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.18 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 8,000 students, Youngstown State University serves a diverse population, making it a solid choice for those seeking a supportive environment. The 84% acceptance rate means many students have the opportunity to join. Here, you can dive into programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Humanities, Education, and Engineering, which are popular among students aiming for practical and applicable career paths.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni after ten years is $41,544, which gives a realistic idea of what to expect in the job market. This figure can help students gauge the return on their investment in education. While the graduation rate sits at 52%, many graduates find ways to move up in their careers, making the experience valuable even if it takes a bit longer for some to finish.
When considering the financial aspect, the net price after aid is around $12,767, which is quite manageable compared to many other institutions. With a median debt of $24,000, students are entering the workforce with a reasonable debt load. This balance makes Youngstown State a strong fit for students who are mindful of their finances and looking to thrive in a supportive community focused on career readiness.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Youngstown State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Youngstown State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Youngstown, Ohio, Youngstown State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 84%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 84%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1120
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 1010–1230
- ACT Range
- 19–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 90%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,731
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.55
- First-Gen Students
- 38%
- Applicants
- 7,481
- Admitted
- 6,030
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Youngstown State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Youngstown State University is $11,473, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,767. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,328 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,113
- Out-of-State
- $11,473
- Avg Net Price
- $12,767
- Median Debt
- $24,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 38%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,328
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,421
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,369
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,235
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Youngstown State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Youngstown State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Youngstown State University report median earnings of $41,544, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,590
- 8 Years
- $39,179
- 10 Years
- $41,544
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.58x
- Earning > $25K
- 56%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (410)
- 25%
- 100% (410)
- 25%
- 100% (410)
- 25%
- 100% (410)
- 25%
How Youngstown Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Youngstown State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Youngstown State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,767/year ($51,068 total). Graduates earn $41,544 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $930,692 in total earnings — a net gain of $879,624 (18.2× your investment). The median debt is $24,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 52% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $51,068
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $930,692
- Net Return
- $879,624
- ROI Multiple
- 18.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,767
- Median Debt
- $24,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Youngstown State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Youngstown State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.34%, well above the typical college. About 9.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.34%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 14.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $97,143
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Youngstown State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 19 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.21%
- Top 75% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 19
- Linked to graduates
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.49%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,568,342
- Investment Income
- $-7,367,959
Top Programs
The fields Youngstown State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20%
- Health Professions 18% $66,982 early-career
- Humanities 11%
- Education 7%
- Criminal Justice 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Engineering 4%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Youngstown State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Youngstown State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Youngstown, Ohio, Youngstown State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 84%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,120. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Youngstown State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Youngstown State University is $11,473, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,767. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,328 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,000 in federal student loans.
Is Youngstown State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Youngstown State University report median earnings of $41,544, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Youngstown State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Youngstown State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.34%, well above the typical college. About 9.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 14.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Youngstown State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Youngstown State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.18, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Youngstown State University.
- Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL · Close peer53% grad $45,235 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, AR · Close peer55% grad $42,617 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette, MI · Close peer52% grad $47,107 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL · Close peer54% grad $45,415 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX · Close peer43% grad $45,411 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN · Close peer52% grad $44,859 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Youngstown State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Youngstown State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.18, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note