Kent State University at Kent: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

University Heights, Ohio · Private nonprofit · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
81%
4,623 applicants
Avg SAT
1250
Mid 50: 1180–1330
In-state tuition
$49,100
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$28,617
after aid, what families pay

Kent State University at Kent is a private institution located in University Heights, Ohio. For the most recent reporting cycle, Kent State University at Kent admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 81%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1295 and an ACT composite around 27. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $28,617 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether Kent State University at Kent is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.

What GPA does my child need for Kent State University at Kent?

Kent State University at Kent has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
36.0%
3.75–3.99
17.0%
3.50–3.74
17.0%
3.25–3.49
11.0%
3.00–3.24
9.0%
2.50–2.99
7.0%
Below 2.50
3.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Kent State University at Kent.

What does Kent State University at Kent weight in admissions?

Kent State University at Kent reports the following factor importance in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). These are the criteria the admissions committee weighs when reviewing applications.

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important2 factors
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
Considered10 factors
  • Class rank
  • Standardized test scores
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest
Not Considered4 factors
  • First generation status
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment

SAT and ACT scores Kent State University at Kent typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–30. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1180
50th percentile1250
75th percentile1330
% submitting SAT13%
ACT Composite
25th percentile25
50th percentile29
75th percentile32
% submitting ACT14%
Current testing policy
  • 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 class24%
Top 25% of class55%
Top 50% of class85%
% submitting class rank30%

How much does Kent State University at Kent actually cost?

Published tuition is $49,100 for in-state students and $49,100 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,160 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $28,617 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.

In-state tuition$50,160
Room and board$14,950
Average net price (after aid)$28,617
Application fee

Application deadlines and early decision data for Kent State University at Kent

Regular admission
Notification dateNovember 15
Reply deadlineMay 1
Rolling admissionsYes
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from Kent State University at Kent?

Retention and graduation rates are the most overlooked numbers in college planning, but they predict actual outcomes far better than acceptance rate. They tell you whether admitted students stay and finish on time.

Freshman retention
null%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
71.9%
finished on time
6-year graduation
79%
finished within 6 years

Other colleges in Ohio parents ask about

How parents track GPA toward selective schools like Kent State University at Kent

Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like Kent State University at Kent recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.

Common questions parents ask about Kent State University at Kent

What GPA do I need for Kent State University at Kent?

Kent State University at Kent has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

What SAT or ACT score does Kent State University at Kent typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 25–30.

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 $28,617 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.

Is Kent State University at Kent realistic for my child?

Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, Kent State University at Kent is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.

Data sourced from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Kent State University at Kent, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Solyo extracts admissions data from official Common Data Set publications and refreshes it annually.