Column: College is pricey, but Richland County has affordable options

MANSFIELD — It’s news to absolutely no one that the cost of college is out of control.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the average annual tuition for colleges and universities more than doubled between 1980 and 2020, even after adjusting for inflation. 

In light of rising tuition, a national student debt crisis and labor shortages in manufacturing and skilled trades, Americans have become more skeptical about the value of a college education.

A recent survey from Pew Research Center that found just 22 percent of Americans believe a four-year degree is worth the cost, regardless of whether a person has to take out student loans. Nearly half of respondents said a college degree is worth it only if a person doesn’t have to take out loans.

While a college degree was once considered a requirement for a decent job and financial future, some educators and economic experts say that’s no longer the case. 

Some corporations and state governments are reconsidering their hiring criteria, eliminating bachelor’s degree requirements for certain jobs. Meanwhile, many employers in the skilled trades sector offer paid, on-the-job training.

Trade school, technical school and apprenticeship programs are great options, depending on your career aspirations.

But what about people whose dream career does require an associate or bachelor’s degree?

Fortunately, north central Ohio residents who want to pursue a degree have nearby affordable options.

The Ohio State University Mansfield campus

While the increased cost of college is undeniable, Eric Anderman said many families aren’t aware of all the available resources, especially at regional campuses.

“There are so many kids who, for very real reasons, their families don’t have the resources, and there’s a narrative throughout life that ‘We can’t afford college,'” said Anderman, interim dean of the Ohio State University’s Mansfield campus.

“We have so much financial support available, that really is not an obstacle for a lot of kids if they and their families really look into it.”

The tuition and fees at OSU Mansfield are about 30-percent cheaper than the university’s main campus, regardless of financial need.

Ohio State also offers a Buckeye Opportunity Program that covers tuition and mandatory fees for Ohio resident, Pell-eligible students.

According to the university’s website, Ohio State offers more than 200 majors at its main campus in Columbus. Students can typically complete between one to three years of those bachelor’s degree requirements on the Mansfield campus.

There are 12 majors students can complete entirely at Mansfield: biology, business management, child and youth studies, criminology and criminal justice studies, primary education, middle childhood education, engineering technology, English, history, psychology, social work and sociology.

North Central State College

Attending a community college like North Central State College is another way students can save money on their postsecondary education — especially if students have taken NCSC courses while still in high school.

High school students can take college classes for free through the College Credit Plus program.

NCSC offers a tuition freedom scholarship to adult students who completed at least 8 or 9 credit hours (typically equivalent to three courses) through NCSC while in high school.

Students can earn the required credits in high school through CCP or certain career tech courses. (If you or your high school student is interested, reach out to the college or your high school guidance counselor).

The tuition freedom scholarship provides up to two years of tuition-free courses, which means some students can earn an associate degree at no cost.

Emily Marquette, guidance counselor at Clear Fork High School, said a lot of students take advantage of the scholarship each year.

“After those two years, if the student wants a bachelor’s degree, they have to transfer, but they have those two years that they had for free,” she said.

NCSC currently offers bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering technology and nursing, as well as a variety of associate degrees and certificates.

“We don’t want the cost of college to keep anyone from pursuing their dream of a college education,” said Keith Stoner, NCSC’s director of marketing and public relations.

“Especially when we talk about the non-traditional students, they have family to take care of, they have jobs, they have so many other things that can cause them to lose their momentum or opt out. We don’t want the cost of college to be one of those things.”

President Dorey Diab said nearly 75 percent of students at NCSC don’t take out loans.

“The 25 percent that do, we’re talking a few thousand dollars,” he said.

Resources for students

Both NCSC and OSU Mansfield offer financial aid to help cover educational costs, but the schools also have other programs to help cover non-academic costs and support students.

The Ohio State University Mansfield campus has a Buckeye Food Pantry located on the second floor of Ovalwood Hall that is open to all Ohio State Mansfield students.

The Ohio State Mansfield Student Emergency Fund provides short-term financial assistance for students who face unexpected circumstances that may jeopardize their ability to continue their education.

Eligible undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

NCSC has several support programs available for its students, including an on-campus food pantry and diaper pantry, textbook assistance grant, childcare assistance stipend and laptop loaner program.

The school also provides support services for first generation, low-income and students with disabilities through the federal TRIO Student Support Services grant.

“The food pantry is actually located in the building I am in right now. We have more and more students that are accessing that every week and they’re telling us how meaningful that is,” Stoner said.

“They’re telling us that’s what is allowing them to stay in school, because if not, they’d have to use that time to go earn money to buy groceries.”

If traditional college isn’t for you, there are options to learn a new skill

NCSC recently extended its Tuition Freedom program to include non-traditional students — those age 24 and older who have not completed a degree program.

The scholarship can be applied to various certificates in business, and information technology, as well as business analytics, water technology and chemical dependency counseling assistant (CDCA).

Schools like the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center, Pioneer Career and Technology Center Adult Education and Madison Adult Career Center offer the chance to learn skills and earn certifications needed to enter the workforce.

These programs can typically be completed in a year or less and focus on career fields like maintenance and repair, phlebotomy, medical assisting, dental assisting, welding, state tested nursing assistant (STNA) and cosmetology.

Like traditional colleges, these programs may also offer financial aid.

Apprenticeships are another option for individuals 16 and older who want to make money while they learn a skilled trade from another person. Apprenticeships are available in numerous fields and may include both classroom and on-the-job instruction.

The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services operates a dashboard where workers can search for apprenticeship opportunities. Most apprenticeships in north central Ohio are in the trades or manufacturing fields.