At $6,693/yr net price, Stark State College graduates earn $34,661/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $661/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,693 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $26,772 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,661/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$661/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 40.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,786 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,629/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,176/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,716/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,165/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $55,061 | $15,510 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $47,260 | $16,750 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $37,208 | $16,125 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $36,674 | |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $34,704 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $32,925 | |
| Psychology, General. | Associate | $31,848 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $30,409 | $13,982 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $30,228 |
The Risk Factor
22.7% of students at Stark State College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Stark State College gives you a mixed financial return that depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The overall median earnings ten years out sit below $35,000, and the graduation rate under 23% is the biggest problem here. If you don't finish, you carry the cost without the credential, and most people who start don't finish.
The health programs are where the money is. Registered Nursing clears $55,000, and Allied Health Diagnostic professions clear $47,000, both far above the school-wide median. These associate degrees cost around $15,000 to $16,000 in debt but pay it back through steady regional demand for nurses and lab techs across the Canton and Akron area. Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science, Dental Support, and Computer Networking land in the $36,000 to $38,000 range. Those still beat the median, but the gap between nursing and everything else is stark, roughly $18,000 a year separates nursing from computer networking.
The specific risk here is enrolling in a general or non-health track and stalling out before finishing. The school-wide earnings number tells you that the typical graduate isn't landing in the high-paying nursing lane. Debt stays low at under $14,000 median, so the downside is capped, but low debt on an unfinished or low-paying credential is still a bad trade.
This school fits you if you're aiming for nursing, allied health, or a lab or dental credential and you're committed to finishing. The net price barely moves across income levels, and it actually runs higher for families earning $75,000 to $110,000 (over $11,000) than for those under $30,000. If you're a middle-income family, you won't get the discount you might expect. Look elsewhere if you want a general associate degree with no clear health or technical target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stark State College worth the cost?
Stark State College offers decent value for career-focused students, with low tuition at $6,693 per year and manageable debt around $13,786. However, the 23% graduation rate is concerning, and average earnings of $34,661 after 10 years lag behind many four-year schools.
What are the best paying programs at Stark State College?
Nursing programs at Stark State College provide the strongest return, with graduates earning around $55,061 annually. Allied health and medical lab programs also perform well, typically paying $37,000-$47,000 per year.
How much debt do Stark State College graduates have?
Stark State College graduates typically leave with $13,786 in debt, which is relatively low compared to four-year schools. The affordable tuition helps keep borrowing manageable for most students.
Why is Stark State College's graduation rate so low?
Stark State College's 23% graduation rate reflects challenges common to community colleges, including part-time enrollment and students juggling work responsibilities. This low completion rate means many students don't finish their programs to see career benefits.