Stark State College vs. Fortis College-Columbus

Comparable Facts

Compare Stark State College in North Canton, OH with Fortis College Columbus in Westerville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stark State College is larger than Fortis College-Columbus based on total student enrollment (10,128 students vs. 766 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stark State College is located in North Canton, OH (Large Suburban setting); Fortis College Columbus is in Westerville, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Stark State College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis College Columbus is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stark State College 17:1; Fortis College Columbus 16:1.

Stark State College vs. Fortis College-Columbus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Stark State College or Fortis College-Columbus? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Stark State College than Fortis College-Columbus ($7,160 vs. $26,771).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stark State College are 44.4% lower than at Fortis College Columbus ($9,384 vs. $16,875).
• Fortis College Columbus is 211.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stark State College (about $10,145 more per year; $14,935.00 vs. $4,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.4% higher at Fortis College-Columbus than at Stark State College (about $7,049 more per year; $14,935.00 vs. $7,886.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stark State College than at Fortis College Columbus (90% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis College Columbus students is 83% larger than aid received by Stark State College students ($7,836 vs. $4,282).

Stark State College vs. Fortis College-Columbus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Stark State College or Fortis College-Columbus? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fortis College-Columbus and Stark State College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Stark State College - Open admission; Fortis College-Columbus - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Stark State College Aug 30, 2027.

Stark State College vs. Fortis College-Columbus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Stark State College and Fortis College-Columbus? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Stark State College earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than Fortis College-Columbus graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,900 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fortis College Columbus graduates have a $5,974 lower median loan debt than Stark State College graduates ($12,850 vs. $18,824).
• Among borrowers, Fortis College-Columbus graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stark State College graduates ($132 vs. $194).
• More Stark State College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College-Columbus students, three years after graduation. (23% vs. 22%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.