Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Youngstown State University at a Glance
Youngstown State University is a public university in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1908 and is the easternmost member of the University System of Ohio. It plans to open a satellite campus in Steubenville in 2026.
1908
118 years old
$400M
$399.9 million (2025)
11,076
8,468 undergrad · 2,608 grad
160 acres
Identity
Is Youngstown State University Worth It?
Youngstown State University offers moderate value at $12,767/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $41,544, which is 23% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $24,000 representing 58% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
How Youngstown State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OH
Ranked #64 of 140 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 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #2 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #64 | Youngstown State University | 42 | $12,767 | $41,544 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Youngstown State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in OH.
Best Programs at Youngstown State University
The highest-earning program at Youngstown State University is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $70,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at $19,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from Youngstown State University earns $70,700, while a Radio, Television, and Digital Communication graduate earns $19,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $30,000 in median debt vs. $31,000 for Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,767/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
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $70,700 | $70,700 | $30,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $61,400 | $61,400 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,600 | $60,600 | $26,497 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $54,800 | $54,800 | $27,813 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $53,100 | $53,100 | $28,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $50,700 | $50,700 | $24,000 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $47,800 | $47,800 | $21,875 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $45,200 | $45,200 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $44,300 | $44,300 | $32,125 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $38,600 | $38,600 | $25,250 |
| Computer Programming | $38,300 | $38,300 | $33,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $37,900 | $37,900 | $31,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $36,800 | $36,800 | $27,146 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,100 | $35,100 | $31,000 |
| Marketing | $34,200 | $34,200 | $24,540 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $32,100 | $32,100 | $31,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $31,800 | $31,800 | $27,420 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $31,100 | $31,100 | $25,750 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $30,100 | $30,100 | $31,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,100 | $30,100 | $25,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,100 | $30,100 | $25,500 |
| Social Work | $30,100 | $30,100 | $31,921 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,200 | $29,200 | $28,750 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $28,900 | $28,900 | $28,375 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $28,800 | $28,800 | $38,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $27,900 | $27,900 | $29,825 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $27,100 | $27,100 | $26,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,500 | $25,500 | $31,000 |
| Biology, General | $23,800 | $23,800 | $20,500 |
| Psychology, General | $23,700 | $23,700 | $27,228 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $19,300 | $19,300 | $31,000 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Youngstown, OH
- Student Body
- 7,961 students
- Admission Rate
- 84%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,767
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,544
- Median Student Debt
- $24,000