When considering the next steps in your educational journey, should your college choice be based on the price tag? While the simple answer may be "no," affordability is a key factor for many students and families. The question then becomes: Where can you find the best value?
Youngstown State University (YSU), located in Northeast Ohio and just an hour’s drive from Downtown Pittsburgh, offers an exceptional education at an affordable cost. YSU is among the most affordable universities in Ohio and stands out as a smart choice for students across the region—including those in Pennsylvania—seeking quality education without breaking the bank.
Why Choose YSU?
YSU’s commitment to affordability ensures that students can achieve their academic goals while keeping costs manageable. With a strategic focus on value, YSU provides opportunities to lower the overall cost of earning a degree:
Penguin Tuition Promise: YSU offers a fixed tuition rate for four consecutive academic years, giving students and their families financial predictability throughout their degree program.
Affordable Out-of-State Rates: YSU has dramatically reduced its out-of-state tuition surcharge, making it a competitive option for students from Pennsylvania and beyond.
A Broad Range of Academic Opportunities
At YSU, students can choose from over 100 programs, ranging from associate degrees to doctoral degrees, ensuring there’s a path for every educational and career goal. Whether you're pursuing a hands-on technical degree, an advanced professional degree, or anything in between, YSU provides the resources, faculty, and support to help you succeed.
Additional Opportunities to Save
YSU offers multiple pathways for students to reduce costs and time to graduation, including:
Financial Aid & Scholarships: Students were awarded $106 million in financial aid and scholarships in the 2023 – 2024 academic year.
Merit-Based Scholarships: YSU awards scholarships to incoming freshmen and transfer students, recognizing academic achievements. The YSU Foundation Scholarship Application is another great way to access additional funding opportunities.
Credit by Examination: Students can take College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests to earn credit for prior knowledge.
Honors Scholarships: The Sokolov Honors College at YSU offers scholarships for tuition and housing that can be combined for greater savings.
Flexible payment plan options further help students and families manage tuition and fees.
Academic Excellence at a Great Value
YSU delivers an outstanding education with over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, small class sizes (average of 21 students), and a 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Founded in 1908, YSU provides a vibrant campus environment while preparing students for meaningful careers and lifelong success.
Whether you’re considering YSU as an in-state or out-of-state student, the combination of affordability and quality makes it one of the best values in higher education. Explore our program by visiting explore.ysu.edu.
If you haven’t applied yet, there’s still time to join us for the Fall 2025 semester. Contact the Youngstown State University Office of Admissions today at 330-941-2000 or email enroll@ysu.edu to learn more about how YSU can help you achieve your academic and career goals.