LOWELLVILLE, Ohio - The closure of Eastern Gateway Community College last fall left a gap in access to affordable college options in the Mahoning Valley. Stark State College's presence in Lowellville continues to grow. The Canton-based college offers in-person and online education options for people in the area looking to advance their careers. The college serves more than 14k students and is known as the fourth largest of the 22 public two-year colleges in Ohio.

"We have great programs that lead to high-demand careers at the most affordable tuition," said President Para Jones during a Wednesday open house at the Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center (CLWCC) at Campbell City Schools. 

Akron Children's, Mercy Health, and Southwoods are some of the medical groups in the area requesting that Stark State offer more healthcare-based programs.

"The hospitals have asked us to help with medical assisting, nursing, respiratory care, and other high-demand health fields," Dr. Jones added. "So this fall, we will be offering all of the foundational classes that lead to those programs. We are looking for a convenient location geographically. We'd like everyone in the tri-county area to be able to come to our campus and park conveniently."

Community colleges are known to be cost-effective, and Stark State is no different at $199.60 per credit hour. BestColleges.com found that the average public school tuition for in-state students is sitting at $13k in Ohio.

"For example, our entry-level College Comp class is $600 at Stark State College," Dr. Jones added. "It is the same course, same textbook, same qualified faculty. It is $1,500-$1,600 at a public university, and it's $4,500 at a private university."

"Both of my daughters went through Stark State, one articulated seamlessly to Ohio State, and one went to Coastal Carolina, getting half of their degree done at half of the cost," explained Dan Fuline Jr., Department Chair, Management and Marketing, Stark State College.

And with the closure of Eastern Gateway Community College, Stark State reps say their services are crucial here in the Mahoning Valley.

"A large university like that goes out of business. And why?" Fuline Jr. added. "So to have a presence like Stark State College to come in and put our footprints and help those people who are attending is a big deal to get the community back to where it deserves to be."

"We are here to make sure every person here in the Mahoning Valley realizes they can afford college and really advance their lives and move forward," Dr. Jones added. "That is important to us."

The college also offers more than $3 million in scholarships and financial aid.

Click here to learn more about Stark State College.