The Mahoning Valley, at the center of a vast knowledge base, is a quick drive from a number of colleges and universities. Within a 75-mile radius of Youngstown-Warren, Ohio, 56 colleges and universities in Ohio and Pennsylvania provide opportunities in advanced education. From 101 campus locations, these public and private institutions furnish firms competing in the global marketplace with a highly trained and motivated workforce, and many of these institutions have gained national recognition in particular fields of study.

Within the Youngstown-Warren-East Liverpool Combined Statistical Area, 10 university campuses and six community college sites provide businesses with a pool of extremely talented individuals. More than 22,400 students are enrolled at these institutions. In 2006, the schools awarded nearly 2,237 bachelors degrees and 400 master and doctorate degrees.
 
These universities and regional campuses offer advanced curriculum and customized training programs required by 21st-century employers:  

Youngstown State University – With approximately 13,500 students, Youngstown State University provides a quality education in a broad range of associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees and certificate programs, including engineering, business and computer information systems. YSU’s College of Engineering was recently ranked as one of the top undergraduate engineering programs by U.S. News and World Report. YSU awards more bachelor’s degrees in chemistry than any other college or university in Ohio, and the 14th most in the nation. Many of these recipients continue their education at Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM). YSU also sponsors a healthcare initiative, Northeast Ohio HealthForce, which focuses on the priority needs of the healthcare industry.
 
Kent State University Trumbull Campus – More than 2,000 students are enrolled at this regional campus. The Technology Building, a state-of-the-art, 68,000 square-foot facility, supports associate degree programs in computer technology, mechanical engineering technology, industrial engineering technology, high tech manufacturing, plastics manufacturing, engineering technology, laboratory technology and environmental technology. The Technology Building features specialty classrooms and laboratories for hands-on learning, including an industrial machines laboratory, strength of materials testing laboratory, fluidics laboratory, CIM laboratory, robotics and digital laboratory, computer design and drafting laboratory, electrical laboratory, power laboratory, a 4,000 square-foot manufacturing demonstration area and six computer labs.
 
Kent State University Salem Campus – More than 1,100 students prepare for futures in the modern world at the Salem Campus. This KSU branch offers associate degree programs in early childhood education technology, horticulture technology, human services technology, manufacturing engineering technology and radiological technology.
 
Kent State University East Liverpool Campus - 700 students attend KSU’s East Liverpool Campus, which offers a variety of programs for students in business courses, computer technology and health-related therapy and technical studies. Specific business-related associate degree courses include: accounting technology, business management technology, computer technology and technical studies.

The regional campuses of Kent State University provide associate degree coursework that can be applied to the bachelor program administered at the main campus in Kent, Ohio. In addition, each regional campus provides specific industry-related courses for area employers.

Eastern Gateway Community College - Systemwide, Eastern Gateway enrolls more than 3,000 students annually at its seven locations in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Jefferson counties. Eastern Gateway is a comprehensive state institution of higher education and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. In 2009, the college was authorized by the state to expand from the former Jefferson Community College that was founded in 1966. The college offers dozens of associate degree programs in business, health, engineering and information technologies, criminal justice and other areas aimed at preparing students to enter the workforce immediately. For students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university, Eastern Gateway offers the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, as well as numerous courses guaranteed to transfer to state universities and other colleges. The college also partners with other community colleges and universities to offer other in-demand programs. Classes are delivered online and through traditional and interactive distance learning methods. Eastern Gateway is a Leader College with the national Achieving the Dream initiative. The college’s Workforce Outreach department works with businesses to offer staff training.

Malone University, Canfield Continuing Studies Center - 30 students enrolled
Malone University's Canfield Continuing Studies Center is a regional branch of Malone College, Canton, Ohio. The college offers an accelerated degree program with application-based learning. Two courses have a management focus and can be completed within 14 months to the conclusion of a bachelor of arts degree.

National College, Youngstown Campus - National College has been providing focused career training and education for more than 120 years. The Youngstown Campus opened in 2007 and offers eight associate degree and seven diploma programs, and a certificate program in fields of business, health care, and information technology. These programs are developed with specific curriculum that is stripped of all non-essentials so that students receive the maximum amount of practical skill needed for employment. Smaller class sizes and instructors with real-world experience allow students to get individual attention and a head start in their job search.
 
Notre Dame College Youngstown Campus - 25 students enrolled
Notre Dame College, Cleveland, offers a special program for students who seek to become teachers with their Teacher Education Evening Licensure (TEEL) Program. A bachelor’s degree is required for admission, and classes are held locally in the evenings. Teaching certification can be earned within 18 months.
 
Walsh University Canfield Campus - 25 students enrolled
Walsh University offers a master of arts program in education and a bachelor of arts program in business management. Both programs are taught in an accelerated format for adult learners. Accredited by the Ohio Department of Education, the MAED program is designed to present new opportunities for practicing educators. The degree completion business program offers flexibility and interactive courses.
 
Thiel College - 1,300 students enrolled
Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania, is a comprehensive university providing bachelor degrees in accounting, biological and chemistry sciences, business administration, computer information sciences, international trade, management information systems and pre-med. Thiel was named one of the top tier northern universities in the 2005 U.S. News and World Report annual survey of America’s Best Colleges.
 
Grove City College - 2,300 students enrolled
Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania, is a comprehensive university providing bachelor degrees in accounting, biochemistry, business administration, computer information sciences, engineering, finance, international trade, physics and pre-med. The college was named one of the top tier northern universities from 2001 through 2007 in the U.S. News and World Report annual survey of America’s Best Colleges.
 
Penn State University Shenango Valley Campus - 900 students enrolled
Penn State University Shenango Campus in Sharon, Pennsylvania, provides students opportunities to receive bachelor degrees in child development, family and community studies and nursing. Associate degree programs are offered in engineering technologies, business administration, industrial technology and manufacturing technology. Students may complete the bachelor’s degree program at Penn State University’s main campus.

Geneva College
Geneva College, located in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, offers 30 undergraduate majors in both traditional and adult degree completion formats. Seven graduate programs, including a Master of Science degree in organizational leadership, are also offered.