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Kean University
Most applicants get into Kean University — 75.9% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Kean University occupies suburban Union, NJ — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. International students are a visible presence here — 6.1% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $96,821 four years out. Faculty pay averages $125,856 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. Most of its 11,433 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 76.1% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1020 and 1198 — below the NJ middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Kean University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Kean University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1020–1198 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Kean University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 515 | 570 | 598 |
| SAT Math | 505 | 580 | 600 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Kean University received 12,142 applications and admitted 9,335 (76.9%), with 1,968 enrolling.
How Kean University compares
| Kean University | New Jersey median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 75.9% | 78.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $14,299 | $17,014 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $57,237 | $58,902 | $53,781 |
Ten years out, Kean University's median earnings are $57,237 — below the New Jersey benchmark of $58,902. Weigh that against the $14,299 price above; the by-major table shows majors drive much of this gap.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Kean University prices by residency: $14,299 in-state versus $22,446 out-of-state — a $8,147 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Kean University enrolls 11,433 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Kean University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
46.6% graduate within six years. Roughly 53% don't — ask a Kean University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Kean University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $96,821 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $91,546 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $72,483 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $72,446 |
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | $72,277 |
| Economics | $66,368 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $65,415 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $65,332 |
| International Business | $64,878 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $63,156 |
| Marketing | $61,602 |
| Biology, General | $61,291 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $61,158 |
| History | $60,236 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $59,531 |
| Mathematics | $59,082 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $58,885 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,644 |
| Public Administration | $58,100 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $56,666 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $54,749 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $54,277 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $54,232 |
| Sociology | $51,122 |
| Psychology, General | $51,052 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $50,854 |
| Psychology, Other | $47,179 |
| Political Science and Government | $40,805 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,213 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $32,107 |
Median earnings for these 30 Kean University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $57,237 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 19 additional Kean University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Kean University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1020–1198 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 75.9% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Kean University's acceptance rate?
76.9% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 9,335 admitted from 12,142 applicants.
How much does Kean University cost?
In-state tuition is $14,299; out-of-state students pay $22,446. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Kean University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $57,237 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in New Jersey
- Rowan University — 77.7% admitted
- Georgian Court University — 78.8% admitted
- New Jersey Institute of Technology — 65.1% admitted
- Drew University — 67.8% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.