North Central State College
North Central State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
North Central State College at a Glance
North Central State College is a public community college in Mansfield, Ohio, United States. It is located on the 644-acre (261 ha) campus of The Ohio State University at Mansfield. NCSC offers associate degrees and certification programs in a number of career fields, including business, computers, engineering, health science and public service, technology, and workforce development.
1961
65 years old
3,094
Is North Central State College Worth It?
North Central State College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $4,687/year, it's priced 77% below average, while graduates go on to earn $38,158 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 35% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: North Central State College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How North Central State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #10 of 93 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | North Florida College | 100 | $804 | $33,929 |
| #3 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #4 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #5 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90 | $3,134 | $37,043 |
| #6 | American Samoa Community College | 89 | $3,386 | $30,087 |
| #10 | North Central State College | 71 | $4,687 | $38,158 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of North Central State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in OH.
Best Programs at North Central State College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for North Central State College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $4,687/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Mansfield, OH
- Student Body
- 1,273 students
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $4,687
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,158
- Median Student Debt
- $8,252