There is no doubt that when it comes to college, understanding the financial obligations as a student can be confusing. First, you and your family are likely comparing tuition and scholarships from one institution to another. Tuition cost is the price of attending, but it is usually displayed as a per semester cost, rather than a total cost. You also have read carefully because many universities have a difference in cost when it comes to in-state residents versus out of state. In addition, there are usually fees associated with the program that you are enrolling it, which increases the total cost of attending. For example, here is the tuition break down at Youngstown State:
The $10,410 in-state tuition cost is associated with our Penguin Tuition Promise, which ensures that you are locked into that rate for 4 consecutive years. The Penguin Tuition Promise also applies to students that qualify for the Affordable Tuition Advantage, which is a tuition reduction for students living in parts of Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia (typically, out-of-state tuition costs are much higher than the in-state tuition, Youngstown State has created this advantage to bring the out-of-state costs closer to the in-state for certain counties). Then, you see one last cost of $10,770 for out-of-state residents, which applies to those that do live in Ohio or one of the noted counties for the Affordable Tuition Advantage. That was a lot, and only one of our cost breakdowns.
Most Universities will have a tuition calculator to help you determine what your exact tuition costs will be. When using these tools, be sure to look for any indication that there might be associated fees with your options.
A lot of universities also offer scholarships to help offset the cost of attending. There are scholarships offered for a variety of reasons to incoming students. These may be offered by the university or outside organizations, but almost all scholarships will fall under one of the following categories:
This is where you are responsible for doing some homework to figure out what you might qualify for when it comes to scholarships. A helpful resource to assist you in your search is the Federal Student Aid website.
Let’s say you’ve done all the hard work and secured a scholarship- congrats! As an example, Youngstown State offers scholarships for students that meet a certain GPA requirement, or who might have done well on the ACT. In addition, if you are enrolling into a certain major – let’s say something in the STEM program, you might qualify for additional dollars that are provided through that program. Typically, these types of scholarships will require you to apply and fill out your FAFSA.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (aka FAFSA) is a form you need to fill out to receive any financial aid from the federal government. Many institutions require it and it’s really to your benefit to take the time to fill it out ahead of your application process. This document is not only used to figure out your federal aid but also to see what you might qualify for within the University you are applying to. It’s essentially free money – meaning you do not have to pay it back!
Many students find themselves looking for other ways to help pay for college and offset their cost of living while being in school. A great way to help supplement these costs is through student employment or internships within your field. As a university student employee at Youngstown State, you can find a department or office that is looking for students to work up to 25 hours a week while you are enrolled for a semester. This is a great opportunity to make money while earning your degree.
In addition, a lot of our degrees will actually require students to have an internship- this is a great opportunity to apply for paid internships through the university or outside companies, however, unpaid internships are another solid way to gain experience and earn course credits.
At the end of the day, college is an investment in yourself. Maybe you are looking for a certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree- regardless of which program you enroll in, any of these degrees will have an immeasurable impact on your life, career and your future. As a prospective student, there are countless scholarships and financial aid options available, and it’s important to take the time to research what applies to you. The other good news is that no matter how confusing this all might be, there are people that work at Universities that will help guide you through the process!
Nearly 11,000 students
Over $8 Million in Scholarships Given Annually
21 Average Class Size
5 University Residence Halls with plenty of nearby apartments
14:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
In-State
Out-of-State
In-State
Out-of-State
Tuition and fees may vary by major, college, area of study or based on your location. The university reserves the right to assess fees for special services and programs applicable to students. First-time International undergraduate students’ tuition rate is established based on first enrollment and remains unchanged for four consecutive years. Graduate students should plan for a yearly tuition increase of approximately 5%.
For a complete list of additional fees and detailed tuition information please visit the University Bursar website here.
Cost of the most popular room and meal plan combination; Your cost will depend on the plans you select. Costs in the box cover the most popular room and meal plan combination (on-campus); If you choose to live off-campus, the estimated cost of room and meals will be around $12,000 based on 12 months.
Based on average books & supply costs
Health insurance is required for international students.
Applicants must have graduated from high school or have successfully completed the General Education Development (GED) test to be considered for admission. Freshman applicants applying for admission to Youngstown State University must submit a high school transcript or GED transcript. Submission of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores is optional. Please note: some majors require test scores to be admitted into the program.
Applicants must have a cumulative weighted high school grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher, a core unweighted grade point average* of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher and have an ACT composite score of 17 or higher or a SAT composite score of 920 or higher (evidence-based writing and reading and math) to be admitted unconditionally. (*Core gpa is calculated based on grades earned in the following courses – English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language, if applicable, from 9th through 12th grade).
Fall 2024
application deadline is
August 1, 2024