Admit rate has ranged 69%–83% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Kean University is a public institution in Union, New Jersey, known for its accessibility (75.9% acceptance rate) and practical, career-focused programs. With a diverse student body and urban campus, it offers a mix of traditional and emerging majors, though its 43% graduation rate signals challenges. The school stands out for its affordability and strong financial aid support, with 73% of students receiving aid.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
11,433
In-state tuition
$14,299
Out-of-state tuition
$22,446
% Receiving Aid
73%
Acceptance Rate
75.9%
6-Year Grad Rate
47%
Campus Housing Cost
$19,560/year
Median Earnings (1 Year)
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,237
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.6×
Median debt at graduation
$23,250
Graduation rate
47%
First-year retention
76%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
52%
Pell (lower-income) share
67%
First-generation share
46%
Endowment / student
$6,784
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$82,238
Mathematics$52,107
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences$52,107
Special Education and Teaching$49,855
Computer and Information Sciences, General$49,436
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
3
Per 1,000 students
0.26
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
90
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
53.7"
Annual snow
18"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
115
Scholarly works
4,434
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
3.4%
Bottom → top quintile
31%
From bottom quintile
11%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Kean University?
Kean University's acceptance rate is approximately 76% (Union, NJ), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Kean University?
Admitted students at Kean University typically score 930–1150 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Kean University cost?
At Kean University, the average net price (after aid) is about $12,447 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Kean University?
Kean University enrolls approximately 11,433 undergraduate students.
Where is Kean University located?
Kean University is located in Union, NJ.
Admissions
Kean University is a moderately accessible public institution, with a 75.9% acceptance rate (10,578 admissions from 13,936 applications in 2024). The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 930–1160 on the SAT or 17–23 on the ACT, with an average GPA of 3.2. Admissions skew slightly female (79% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. for women vs. lower for men). While not highly selective, Kean serves a broad demographic, including many First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. and Pell Grant-eligible students.
Kean offers nearly 50 undergraduate majors and 30+ master’s programs, with popular choices including Psychology (15% of majors), Business Administration (11%), and Criminal Justice (8%). Recent expansions include high-demand fields like and . The university emphasizes hands-on learning and career preparation, though its academic rigor is more practical than elite. Programs like Nursing report strong outcomes, with graduates earning a median salary of .
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$45,305
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications$44,170
Accounting and Related Services$42,012
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Only 15% of students live on campus (housing costs ~$19,560/year), with most commuting from the surrounding urban area. The school promotes engagement through Greek life, volunteer opportunities, and cultural events like theater productions. Athletics compete in NCAA Division III. A student featured in a campus tour video highlights the convenience of on-campus living for accessing resources, though the vibe is largely commuter-driven.
Kean’s 6-year graduation rate is 47% (21% for 4 years), below national averages. Alumni median earnings 1 year post-graduation are $36,427, rising to $57,237 after 10 years for some programs like Nursing. The low graduation rate reflects its demographic of commuter and non-traditional students, many balancing work and school. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of enrollees, underscoring its role as a socioeconomic mobility engine.
Tuition is $10,747 after aid, with 73% of students receiving financial assistance (average package: $23,269). Need-based scholarships average $15,748 for first-years, and 79% of incoming students get aid. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator helps estimate costs, and programs like the Kean Tuition Promise aim to reduce debt. For a public university, it’s a relatively affordable option, especially for in-state students.
Kean’s strength lies in its accessibility and affordability, serving a diverse, often underserved population. While not a research powerhouse, it delivers practical, job-focused programs in growing fields (e.g., AI, Nursing) with solid ROI. The urban location and commuter culture mean campus life isn’t its selling point—but for students seeking a low-barrier, career-aligned education, it’s a pragmatic choice.
