Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
North Canton, Ohio
Stark State College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
2.93Avg GPA
$11,165Annual Cost
$34,661Grad Salary
27.1%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
2.93
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$6,693
Need-Based Aid
27.1% receive Pell
Stark State College OH Stark State College is one of Ohio's largest colleges focused on workforce preparation and university transfer opportunities. Students can pursue associate degrees, technical credentials, and pathways leading to bachelor's degree completion.\n\nThe college is particularly known for healthcare, engineering technologies, business, information technology, and advanced manufacturing programs. Strong employer relationships help students gain practical experience and improve career prospects.
Stark State College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Stark State College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.93 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.73 – 2.92
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.48
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Stark State College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Stark State College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Stark State College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Stark State College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Stark State College is 2.93. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.13–3.33.Stark State College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Admission here leans heavily on holistic review.
Recommended Strategy: Leans on context — leadership, personal circumstances, or a standout talent.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.93 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.73 – 2.92
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.53 – 2.72
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.52
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No application fee; lowest tuition in the area; over 200 majors, options, and certificates
- Direct Connect dual-admission partnership with University of Akron requires a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 24 completed non-developmental credit hours before UA enrollment
- ADN nursing uses a separate selective admissions process with its own deadlines (March 31 fall, October 31 spring/LPN-Akron) and a TEAS test required within 3 years of applying
- Stark State offers its own direct Bachelor of Science in Nursing - unusual for a two-year technical college
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Stark State College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Stark State College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Stark State College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Stark State College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Stark State College Without SAT or ACT?
Stark State College's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Stark State College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Stark State College's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Enroll in Direct Connect immediately after admission to Stark State
Stark State's Direct Connect dual-admission partnership with the University of Akron requires submitting a participation form after you're admitted to Stark State, maintaining a 2.0 cumulative GPA, and completing at least 24 non-developmental credit hours before enrolling at UA - plus an Intent to Enroll form due one semester before you transfer. Submit the participation form early in your first semester rather than waiting until you're ready to transfer, since the credit and GPA tracking starts from that point forward.
Treat ADN nursing as a fully separate, competitive application
General admission to Stark State does not include admission to the Associate Degree Nursing program - it requires its own selective admissions worksheet, a minimum 3.0 GPA in your last seven-plus college credit hours, and a TEAS test completed within three years of applying, submitted by a hard deadline (March 31 for fall, October 31 for spring/LPN-Akron cohorts). Take the TEAS test with enough lead time to retake it if needed before the cycle's deadline, since a missed window means waiting for the next admission cycle entirely.
Consider the direct BSN if a four-year nursing degree is the actual goal
Unusually for a two-year technical college, Stark State offers its own Bachelor of Science in Nursing directly, rather than requiring a separate transfer to a university for the bachelor's-level credential. If a BSN - not just an RN license - is the end goal, compare Stark State's direct BSN pathway against transferring an ADN elsewhere, since it may be a shorter overall route.
Use the Akron satellite campus if Direct Connect to UA is your plan
Stark State's Akron location sits close to the University of Akron campus, which is useful if you're specifically pursuing Direct Connect - you can complete Stark State coursework there rather than commuting from the North Canton main campus, keeping you geographically embedded near UA throughout the transfer process.
Expert Insight:
Admission to Stark State is open and comes with no application fee, which leads some students to assume the same applies to every program. The ADN nursing program's selective process, deadlines, and TEAS testing requirement are easy to miss if you're used to a general open-admission mindset - plan for that program's specific timeline separately from general enrollment.
Stark State College Profile
Full Name
Stark State College
City
North Canton
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
44720
Type
Public
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Stark State College Degree Worth It?
Whether Stark State College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $54,200, and graduates see a 3.23% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Stark State College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $11,165/year at Stark State College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $6,693.
At Stark State College, 27.1% receive a Pell Grant and 19.2% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Stark State College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Stark State College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Stark State College graduates report a median income of $34,661, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Stark State College
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Stark State College Admissions
Stark State College graduates earn a lower median salary of $34,661/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Stark State College is relatively affordable, around $11,165/year.
27.1% of Stark State College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
The average GPA of admitted Stark State College students is 2.93, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.63 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Stark State College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.53 or below makes admission tougher at Stark State College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Stark State College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before March 1, 2026 — that's Stark State College's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.