Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Youngstown, Ohio
80.3% Acceptance Rate
Youngstown State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
80.3%Acceptance Rate
3.51Avg GPA
1055Avg SAT
21Avg ACT
$20,028Annual Cost
$41,544Grad Salary
33.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
80.3%
Avg GPA
3.51
Avg SAT
1055
Avg ACT
21
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
940–1210
ACT Middle 50%
17–24
Avg Net Price
$11,877
Need-Based Aid
33.2% receive Pell
Youngstown State University is a public institution in Ohio known for its commitment to academic excellence, student success, and regional impact. Offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university provides a supportive campus community that encourages critical inquiry, leadership, and professional preparation. Its focus on providing an accessible, high-value, and career-relevant education makes it a reliable and effective choice for students aiming to reach their academic and career potential.
Youngstown State University Acceptance Rate
Youngstown State University runs an open-access admission policy. With a 80.3% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 80.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.51 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.31 – 3.50
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.06
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Youngstown State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Youngstown State University 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
Youngstown State University 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 (2026/02/01 (Freshman scholarship priority)) 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.
Youngstown State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Youngstown State University is 3.51. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.21 and 3.51? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.71–3.91.Youngstown State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.51 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.31 – 3.50
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.11 – 3.30
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.10
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- General admission acceptance rate is roughly 84%; no essay or letter of recommendation required, test-optional (unconditional admission requires GPA 2.0+ with ACT 17+ or SAT 920+).
- Entry-level BSN admission is held once per year for Fall registration only - there is no spring or summer entry point for new pre-nursing students.
- Direct-admit BSN guarantee requires ACT 24 (or ~1190 combined SAT) plus 3.4 cumulative GPA as an incoming freshman; standard pathway requires 3.0 pre-nursing GPA + 2.5 cumulative GPA and competitive secondary application.
- Nursing students undergo annual fingerprinting and drug screening (BCI and FBI criminal background checks) and must maintain current CPR and immunization records throughout the program.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 Youngstown State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Youngstown State University's verified institutional data
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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
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Youngstown State University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Youngstown State University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Youngstown State University Without SAT or ACT?
Youngstown State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Youngstown State University Average SAT Score: 1055
The average SAT score of admitted students at Youngstown State University is 1055 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1055 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1210 SAT or 24 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Youngstown State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 940, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Youngstown State University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 535 | 460 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 540 | 480 | 600 |
| SAT Composite | 1055 | 940 | 1210 |
Below 940, you're behind most admitted students; at 1210 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Youngstown State University with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Youngstown State University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Youngstown State University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Youngstown State University is 21.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 21 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 17 | 24 |
Can I get into Youngstown State University with a 24 ACT?
A 24 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Youngstown State University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Youngstown State University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Youngstown State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into Youngstown State University isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Aim for the direct-admit BSN threshold if you're an incoming freshman
First-time freshmen with a composite ACT of 24 (or roughly 1190 combined SAT) and a cumulative high school GPA of 3.4 or above are guaranteed a position in the entry-level BSN program outright - bypassing the competitive secondary nursing application entirely. If nursing is your goal and you're still finishing high school, treat hitting this specific threshold as a higher priority than general YSU admission, which is comparatively easy to clear.
If you're not direct-admit eligible, plan for the secondary nursing application as the real selection point
Admission to YSU and even completing pre-nursing prerequisite courses with the required 3.0 pre-nursing GPA does NOT guarantee a spot in the Nursing Program - YSU states explicitly that meeting minimums doesn't guarantee admission due to applicant volume. Have a backup major or timeline ready, and treat the secondary application (due the 3rd Tuesday of January for current students) as a hard, separate gate.
Track two GPAs separately, not just one overall number
YSU nursing admission requires both a 3.0 GPA specifically within your pre-nursing prerequisite courses (the sciences and required core) AND a separate 2.5 cumulative GPA across all college coursework. A strong overall GPA padded by easy electives won't compensate for a weak grade in a required science prerequisite - audit your pre-nursing-specific GPA independently each semester.
Redirect the application bandwidth YSU doesn't require elsewhere
YSU requires no personal essay and no letters of recommendation for general admission - decision turnaround is typically under a week. Use the time and energy you'd otherwise spend on essays to get ahead on nursing-specific requirements instead: CPR for Health Care Providers certification, immunizations, and the annual BCI/FBI fingerprinting and drug screen, all of which take real lead time to schedule and complete.
Expert Insight:
Students who clear YSU's posted pre-nursing GPA minimums often assume they're effectively in - but YSU is explicit that meeting the minimums does not guarantee a Nursing Program seat given the size of the applicant pool, and the secondary application has its own hard January deadline (3rd Tuesday) with only very limited late admission past that date.
Youngstown State University Profile
Full Name
Youngstown State University
City
Youngstown
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
44555-0001
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Youngstown State University Degree Worth It?
At $20,028/year against a $41,544 median graduate salary, Youngstown State University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $51,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.55%.
How much does a degree from Youngstown State University Cost?
The sticker price is $20,028/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $11,877.
33.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 41.5% take federal loans at Youngstown State University. File your FAFSA early and list Youngstown State University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Youngstown State University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $41,544. That's about 2% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Youngstown State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Youngstown State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Youngstown State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Youngstown State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Youngstown State University Admissions
Median earnings for Youngstown State University graduates sit around $41,544 a year.
At about $20,028 a year, Youngstown State University is on the more affordable end.
About 33.2% receive a Pell Grant at Youngstown State University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 80.3%, Youngstown State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Youngstown State University average a 3.51 GPA.
Youngstown State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.21 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.11, Youngstown State University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Youngstown State University — aim above 1055, ideally within the 940–1210 range admitted students typically fall in.
Youngstown State University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 45. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is 2026/02/01 (Freshman scholarship priority). Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.