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Youngstown State University

#599 in US ranking Youngstown, OH
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Youngstown State University award

Cost

Cost / year
$19,462
Tuition & fees
$11,798
Avg. aid
$8,667
Receiving aid
98%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
84%
SAT range
1010–1230
ACT range
19–25

Outcomes

Graduation rate
50%
Median salary
$45,384
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Youngstown State University?

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.

What are the admission requirements at Youngstown State University?

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.

What are the application fees and waivers at Youngstown State University?

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.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Youngstown State University?

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.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Youngstown State University?

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.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Youngstown State University?

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.

Youngstown State University Admissions Factors

SAT range
1010–1230
4001600
ACT range
19–25
136
Acceptance rate
84%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
84%
Ohio
78%
US
78%

29% of admitted students enrolled (1,827 of 6,222)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 6-11
ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Youngstown State University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 7,368
Admission
Total: 6,222
Enrolled
Total: 1,827
Women
Men

How to Apply to Youngstown State University

Regular application deadline

August 1

Application fee

$45

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Youngstown State University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 1,149
Out-of-state: 210
International: 468

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,827
Transfer: 859

Youngstown State University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1055

Median composite ACT score

21

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

39%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

9%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Youngstown State University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data 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.

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