

Youngstown State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from any specialized accreditation held by an individual program.
This distinction matters particularly in fields such as nursing, business, engineering and teacher preparation, where a program's specialized approval or accreditation may affect professional opportunities. Applicants should verify the status of the specific degree they intend to pursue, along with the licensing rules of the state where they hope to work. Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal student-aid eligibility, but it does not guarantee that another college will accept a particular credit or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license.
First-year applicants to Youngstown State University generally submit an application and a secondary-school record showing completion of high school or an accepted equivalent. Secondary-school GPA and transcripts are part of the review; class rank and recommendations are not generally required.
YSU is not an open-admission institution. In its reported first-year admissions figures, it admitted approximately 84% of applicants. SAT and ACT scores are considered but are not generally required: among enrolled first-time students in the reported cohort, 9% submitted SAT scores and 39% submitted ACT scores. Those submission rates should not be mistaken for testing requirements or minimum scores.
English-language proficiency documentation applies to applicants who must demonstrate proficiency, and individual programs may impose additional prerequisites or selection steps. Applicants should use the requirements for their own category - first-year, transfer, international or graduate - and check the intended term's deadlines before submitting materials.
The reported Youngstown State University application fee is $45. Because fees can differ by applicant category or application route and can change between admission cycles, applicants should confirm the amount shown in their application before paying.
Students for whom the charge is a barrier should ask undergraduate admissions about available fee waivers and the documentation or application method required. They should do so before submitting a payment, since a waiver may need to be applied during the application process. An application fee is separate from tuition, housing charges and any later enrollment-related payment.
Youngstown State University has an Army ROTC unit on campus. Air Force ROTC participation is reported through a cooperating host institution rather than a YSU-based Air Force unit.
Students interested in either branch should confirm where required classes and leadership training take place, how travel fits their timetable, and whether they must enroll separately with the host program. ROTC participation and ROTC scholarships have different eligibility and application rules; scholarship recipients and students who contract with a program can incur military service obligations. Applicants should review those terms with the relevant ROTC staff before committing.
Youngstown State University accepts applications from transfer students and generally considers college credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer entry is available for fall, spring and summer terms.
Applicants should be prepared to provide official transcripts from every college attended. A high school record may also be relevant depending on the applicant's prior coursework and the current admission rules. Meeting transfer-admission requirements is separate from having every course accepted toward a particular degree: departments may decide whether a course satisfies a major requirement, an elective or neither.
YSU also reports accepting several forms of examination or evaluated learning credit, including CLEP, DSST and credit considered under American Council on Education recommendations. Before enrolling, a transfer applicant should request an official credit evaluation and compare it with the intended major's degree requirements, especially if a program has sequential courses or limited-entry requirements.
Youngstown State University students can explore international study through university-approved opportunities, which may vary by destination, subject and term. Options can include shorter faculty-led experiences as well as longer programs arranged with outside providers or partner institutions.
The important academic question is how courses taken abroad will apply to a YSU degree. Students should obtain academic approval before departure, particularly for major requirements, and establish how credits and grades will be recorded. Costs, eligibility and the use of financial aid can differ substantially between a YSU-led course and an external program. International education advising and the student's academic department are the appropriate places to check the currently available programs and approval steps.
29% of admitted students enrolled (1,827 of 6,222)
Regular application deadline
August 1Application fee
$45Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite SAT score
1055Median composite ACT score
21Percent of students submitting ACT scores
39%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
9%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Neither required nor recommendedSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Neither required nor recommendedFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.