Youngstown, OH · Private University
Is Youngstown State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$41,544
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,791
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$11,151
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$44,604
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.73x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
52.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,877
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Youngstown State University graduates earn $3,456 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Youngstown State University ranked by graduate earnings
29 graduates
39 graduates
24 graduates
77 graduates
31 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Youngstown State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Youngstown State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Chemical Engineering: $82,878) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $24,933) is $57,945/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical EngineeringBest ROI | $82,878 | 7.4x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $79,343 | 7.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $78,374 | 7.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,293 | 6.8x |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $71,457 | 6.4x |
| Industrial Engineering(1yr data) | $69,202 | 6.2x |
| Civil Engineering | $65,539 | 5.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,921 | 5.5x |
| Computer Science | $60,026 | 5.4x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $59,512 | 5.3x |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $57,659 | 5.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,444 | 5.0x |
| Marketing | $53,012 | 4.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,870 | 4.7x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $51,158 | 4.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,077 | 4.6x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $49,491 | 4.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $48,308 | 4.3x |
| Biology, General | $45,518 | 4.1x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $45,140 | 4.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $44,372 | 4.0x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $43,874 | 3.9x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,565 | 3.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $40,770 | 3.7x |
| Psychology, General | $40,299 | 3.6x |
| Social Work | $39,206 | 3.5x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,593 | 3.5x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,548 | 3.5x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $38,515 | 3.5x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $38,262 | 3.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,956 | 3.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,450 | 3.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,905 | 3.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,931 | 3.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $27,068 | 2.4x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest(1yr data) | $24,933 | 2.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Youngstown State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $41,544 10 years after starting, $3,456 below the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.8 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.