Kent State University at Kent: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Kent, Ohio · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
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Kent State University at Kent is a public university in Kent, Ohio that admits about 63% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $20,787 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 65% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Kent State University at Kent is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Kent State University at Kent admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 63%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1120 and an ACT composite around 22. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $20,787 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Kent State University at Kent?
62% of enrolled students at Kent State University at Kent had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.64, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does Kent State University at Kent weight in admissions?
Kent State University at Kent reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
- • Rigor of secondary school record
SAT and ACT scores Kent State University at Kent typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–610, with an EBRW midpoint near 555. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 990 |
| 50th percentile | 1120 |
| 75th percentile | 1230 |
| % submitting SAT | 16% |
| 25th percentile | 18 |
| 50th percentile | 21 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
| % submitting ACT | 43% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 18.7% |
| Top 25% of class | 44.6% |
| Top 50% of class | 79.5% |
| % submitting class rank | 47.5% |
How much does Kent State University at Kent actually cost?
Published tuition is $13,232 for in-state students and $23,082 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,794 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $20,787 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 29% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $20,787 |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Kent State University at Kent
| Regular deadline | 8/1 |
| Notification date | 10/1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Kent State University at Kent?
These predict outcomes at Kent State University at Kent better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Kent State University at Kent
The most popular undergraduate programs at Kent State University at Kent, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, Kent State University at Kent confers roughly 2,166 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $70,845 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 533 | $70,845 |
| Psychology, General | 343 | $40,904 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 276 | $59,986 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 250 | $52,096 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 239 | $57,478 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 178 | $40,115 |
| Marketing | 174 | $64,923 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 173 | $47,159 |
Is Kent State University at Kent safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Kent State University at Kent disclosed 30 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 28 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Kent State University at Kent?
About 31% of undergraduates at Kent State University at Kent live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
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Next steps for Kent State University at Kent
Common questions parents ask about Kent State University at Kent
What GPA do I need for Kent State University at Kent?
62% of enrolled students at Kent State University at Kent had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.64, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Kent State University at Kent typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–610, with an EBRW midpoint near 555. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–25.
How much does Kent State University at Kent actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Kent State University at Kent after grants and scholarships is $20,787 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,232 and $23,082 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Kent State University at Kent realistic for my child?
Kent State University at Kent admits 63% of applicants, so 500–610 SAT Math is target range and below 500 is a reach. Then check the $20,787 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Kent State University at Kent?
Kent State University at Kent accepts about 63% of applicants out of roughly 25,526 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Kent State University at Kent test-optional?
Yes. Kent State University at Kent is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Kent State University at Kent?
About 65% of students at Kent State University at Kent graduate within six years. 80% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Kent State University at Kent look for in applicants?
Kent State University at Kent rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Kent State University at Kent a public or private school, and where is it located?
Kent State University at Kent is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio.
What are the most popular majors at Kent State University at Kent?
The largest undergraduate majors at Kent State University at Kent by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Psychology, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 2,166 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Kent State University at Kent safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Kent State University at Kent reported 30 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Kent State University at Kent?
At Kent State University at Kent, 31% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Kent State University at Kent, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers