Youngstown State University is a public institution of higher education in Youngstown, Ohio, located about midway between Cleveland, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school had its origins in a law class offered by the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in 1908. Two years later the YMCA established a law school that later was expanded into a comprehensive college. It became independent of the YMCA in 1944. Youngstown was made a university in 1955 and came under state control in 1967. Total enrollment consists of roughly 15,000 students, the majority of whom are undergraduates.

The university awards associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in a variety of fields, a doctoral degree in educational leadership, and a professional degree in physical therapy. Programs are offered through a graduate school and colleges of liberal arts and social sciences; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; business; education; health and human services; and fine and performing arts. Campus research units include the Center for Urban and Regional Studies, the Rich Center for Autism, and the Center for Working-Class Studies.

Youngstown State’s intercollegiate sports teams, nicknamed the Penguins, compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The football team participates in the Football Championship Subdivision. School colors are red and white.