Stark State College (SSC) Introduction and History

Introduction

Students looking for an affordable entry into higher education at a science-themed community college or workers who want to return to school to train for a new career in our increasingly globalized and competitive economy should give Start State College of Technology (SSTC) a look.

The college offers a wide variety of academic and career-prep programs, some of which can have you fully trained for a good-paying job in a new career field in less than a year. SSCT’s strong emphasis on technology makes it an ideal place to train for jobs in highly technical fields that offer plenty of job prospects and job security.

Whether you’re looking for a good head start or a complete change in direction, it’s likely that Stark State College of Technology has a program suited for your needs.

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Information Summary

Ranks 115th in Ohio and 3017th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	50.7
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$5,170
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	17 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	49% / 44%
Enrollment Total (all students)	11,654

History

Stark State College of Technology was founded in 1960. Technical studies have always been the cornerstone of Stark, as the college was originally named Stark County Technical Institute. The university had its 50th anniversary celebration in 2010.

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Academics

Stark State College of Technology prepares students for careers in the arts and sciences, health occupations, engineering and technology, computer science and information management, business and public service.

Stark State College of Technology has many academic paths for its students, offering more than 200 associate’s degree majors and certificate options.

Stark works closely with businesses of all industries to make sure its courses are relevant, and nearly 90 percent of its graduates are employed after graduation.

SSCT is also closely allied with Ohio’s public four-year colleges and universities and as a result, Stark students will have little trouble transferring to a four-year university in Ohio. Thirty-seven of 39 Stark State College of Technology credit hours will transfer to any public four-year school in Ohio, meaning that students can get an affordable head start on their college career by attending SSCT. Stark State College of Technology also has agreements with some four-year universities in Ohio which allow SSCT students to earn their bachelor’s degrees while studying at SSCT facilities, which makes earning a four-year degree easier for working students whose work and family responsibilities won’t let them move off to a four-year school.

The most popular majors at SSCT are:

Health Care
Engineering
Business Electrical
Communications Engineering

Stark has some great partnerships with companies such as Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc., the Defense Metals Center, Contained Energy and The Timken Co., and as a result, SSCT students have some excellent industry-related research opportunities in alternative energy and other high-tech fields.

SSCT recently opened a new $9 million health sciences building to help accommodate the area’s need for health care workers. The campus also has a 40,000 square foot automotive technology center.

The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which accredits schools in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The association also accredits schools for the Navajo Nation.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Admissions

Stark State College of Technology has an open door policy with regard to admissions. Any student with a high school diploma or GED can gain admission to the college. However, admission to certain programs, such as technology-related or health care programs, may have pre-requisites which students will have to fulfill before gaining admission. Students may be required to take placement exams in some areas to see if remedial courses are needed. Transfer students whose credits are in doubt may also need to take placement exams.

The college does not have an admission deadline; however SAT/ACT scores are due by August 1, priority applications are due by June 1 and financial aid applications are due by May 1. As of September 2011, the college has a $65 admission fee.

Financial Aid

Students applying to the Stark State College of Technology may be eligible for federal grants and student loans. There are also a number of grants and scholarships offered by the state of Ohio, the university itself, and other outside organizations that students may able to receive.

The university’s office of financial aid stands ready to help students find other grants and scholarships they may be eligible for. The SSCT website also has extensive resources for prospective students. People that are considering attending the college should visit the website to see what scholarships and grants they may be eligible for.

About 60 percent of students at SSCT receive student aid in terms of loans, grants or scholarships.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6316th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Ohio.

Students

For students who want a big college feel at community college prices, SSCT is an excellent option. Stark State College of Technology is larger than many four-year universities, having an enrollment of nearly 13,500 students and a 200-acre main campus, as well as several satellite campuses.

As the economic turnoil in the U.S. deepens, a growing number of Americans are returning to community college to train for new careers. Enrollment at community colleges throughout the U.S. is on the rise, and SSCT is no exception. In Spring 2010, enrollment at the college had gone up by 39 percent. In fact, Stark was recently cited by the U.S. Department of Education as the fastest growing college in America with an enrollment of 10,000 or more.

The average age of SSCT students is 27, and the majority of Stark State College of Technology students are female. Most Stark State College of Technology students are working students. As a result, flexible scheduling is necessary to accommodate these students’ needs. Stark has a variety of delivery options including night classes and online courses to help students on their path to success. The college operates a day care for students with children.

Stark State College of Technology has about 27 student activities and clubs, including professional and academic groups and recreational activities. SSCT students can also mentor in the college’s Upward Bound Math-Science Academy, a yearly summer program that provides career and social enrichment to high school students considering careers in math, science and technology.

The college’s Spring Fling is a popular annual event that includes fun activities, sharing between diverse cultures, food and more.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Stark State College of Technology has no official athletic program. The school’s mascot is the Spartan. Its colors are red and blue.

Bibliography

“Scholarships | Stark State College – North Canton, Ohio.” Stark State College – North Canton, Ohio | Your Path to Career Success. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2011. <http://www.starkstate.edu/scholarships>.

The College Board College Handbook, 2010 . 47th ed. New York: College Board, 2009. Print.

Gonsher, Debra A., and Joshua Halberstam. The community college guide: the essential reference from application to graduation. Dallas, Tex.: BenBella Books, 2009. Print.

Stark State College