NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Sept. 20, 2024 – Stark State College welcomed a larger and more diverse class of students for its fall 2024 semester.

The College enrolled 10,161 students, as of the date of census, with a 5.3% increase compared to fall 2023. The number of new transfer students is up 28% from the previous year, as is College Credit Plus (CCP) enrollment with a 14.6% increase. Stark State College Akron’s minority population (Black, Pacific Islander, Asian, Hispanic, or two or more races) is up 7% from fall 2023, and total minority population stands at 53% at the Akron location.

“Our enrollment has significantly increased and is expected to keep rising during the second eight-week session this fall,” said Para Jones, Ph.D., president, Stark State College. “Stark State’s employer partnerships have also contributed to enrollment growth. Currently, organizations across northeast Ohio are sending over 1,000 employees to Stark State to pursue training, certificates or associate degrees. We believe these trends reflect our commitment to providing accessible, affordable education while supporting the community’s workforce needs.”

Several factors are attributed to this surge, including strong interest in affordable higher education options, flexible course offerings and the reputation of our programs for leading to in-demand jobs. Stark State will also serve approximately 600 students this fall in noncredit programs, which focus on upskilling and professional development. Throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, the College expects to serve over 14,000 students in the region.