Stark State College Adds More Education Options for In-Demand Careers
Stark State College is poised to open the doors on its new facility under construction at 360 Perkins St. in Akron for classes next fall, offering Summit County residents another affordable education option for in-demand careers.
Stark State, founded in 1960, is the fourth largest of Ohio’s 23 public two-year colleges in the University System of Ohio and offers nearly 250 degrees and certificates in business, education, engineering technologies, health, human and public services, information technology, liberal arts, mathematics and sciences.
Travelers on Route 8 can’t miss the digital Stark State sign near the Perkins Street exit, marking the construction site and future campus. The 68,000-square-foot building will be the permanent home of Stark State College Akron, offering classes for 5,000 students.
Meanwhile, the College is offering classes at 755 White Pond Drive, providing an opportunity for Akron residents to get a jumpstart on access to an affordable, quality education close to home. Students currently can complete full associate degree programs in 10 areas and industry-recognized certificates in 10 others. For more details: starkstate.edu/akron.
Stark State also recently launched its Learn to Earn program in the Akron Public Schools and other area districts. The new program is in response to employers’ needs for a skilled workforce and high school educators’ needs for new graduation pathways that lead to in-demand jobs for their students.
Learn to Earn is a College Credit Plus program, meaning it provides students both high school and college credits. 
Classes are focused on meeting specific, industry-recognized credentials and prepare students to take an industry’s credentialing exam, earn college credits and graduate from high school under the new graduation requirements.
The students also become potential employees for companies seeking skilled workers. Currently, options include computer technology (help desk/computer user support and Microsoft Office), HVACR technology, automotive technology (automotive maintenance and light repair), applied industrial technology (3G welding and precision machining and CNC programming). For more, see starkstate.edu/learntoearn.
Stark State College Fast Facts
Enrollment
- 15,018 annual, unduplicated credit students, 2016
Accreditation
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Many technology programs also accredited by their respective licensing/accrediting organizations. ncahlc.org
Student profile
- Average age: 25
- 57% female students, 43% male
- 27% full time, 73% part-time
- 19% of students are minorities
- 49% of students are first-generation college students