Kean University
#6 Best Education Colleges in New Jersey- Graduation Rate
- 45% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,237 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $12,447 B-
- 27% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 76% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 29.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $29.8 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Education Colleges in New Jersey.
Every $1 spent returns $29.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,433,340.
What The Data Says
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A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 40% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 45% — 21% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 3.42% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $29.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Kean University Matters
Kean University is a public doctoral / professional university in Union, NJ and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 11,433
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose Kean University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 76% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 930–1150. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $12,447 a year after grants and scholarships — 27% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,237 ten years after enrolling — 40% above the typical college, against $23,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 7% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.51 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 11,000 students, Kean University in Union, NJ, caters to a diverse crowd looking for accessible education. Its acceptance rate of 76% means that many students can find a place here, making it particularly appealing for those who may not have top-tier grades but still want to pursue degrees in fields like Business & Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Biology & Biomedical, and Education. The focus on these programs reflects a practical approach to education that aligns with career paths in demand today.
When it comes to life after graduation, Kean graduates earn an average of $57,237 a decade after finishing their studies. That’s a solid starting point for many, especially considering that nearly half of the students receive Pell Grants, highlighting the school's commitment to affordability. The graduation rate stands at 45%, which suggests that while not every student may complete their degree, those who do often find themselves equipped for upward mobility in their careers.
On the financial side, the net price for students after aid is $12,447, which is manageable for many families. While the median debt upon graduation is $23,250, it’s important to note that this level of debt is relatively common and can be seen as an investment in a future that could yield decent returns. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a supportive environment that values practical education and community engagement, making the most of their studies in a school that meets them where they are.
Rankings
- #6 Best Education Colleges in New Jersey
- #7 Best Business Colleges in New Jersey
- #8 Best Psychology Colleges in New Jersey
- #8 Best Communications Colleges in New Jersey
- #9 Best Biology Colleges in New Jersey
- #9 Best MBA Programs in New Jersey
- #11 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Jersey
- #11 Best Master's Programs in New Jersey
Can I Get In?
How selective Kean University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kean University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Union, New Jersey, Kean University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 76%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,040. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 76%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- SAT Average
- 1040
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- SAT Range
- 930–1150
- Full-Time Faculty
- 25%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,488
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.74
- First-Gen Students
- 46%
- Applicants
- 10,485
- Admitted
- 8,661
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kean University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kean University is $22,446, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,447. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,374 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,299
- Out-of-State
- $22,446
- Avg Net Price
- $12,447
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 48%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 41%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,374
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,859
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,136
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,110
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Kean University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kean University earn a median of $57,237, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,603
- 8 Years
- $53,438
- 10 Years
- $57,237
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (389)
- 26%
- 100% (389)
- 26%
- 100% (389)
- 26%
- 100% (389)
- 26%
How Kean Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Kean University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Kean University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,447/year ($49,788 total). Graduates earn $57,237 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,483,128 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,433,340 (29.8× your investment). The median debt is $23,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 45% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $49,788
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,483,128
- Net Return
- $1,433,340
- ROI Multiple
- 29.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,447
- Median Debt
- $23,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Kean University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kean University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.42%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.42%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 30.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $79,200
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,407,746
- Investment Income
- $-1,839,165
Top Programs
The fields Kean University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 25%
- Psychology 13%
- Education 8%
- Biology & Biomedical 7%
- Criminal Justice 6%
- Health Professions 6%
- Computer Science & IT 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Kean University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kean University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Union, New Jersey, Kean University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 76%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,040. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kean University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kean University is $22,446, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $12,447. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,374 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,250 in federal student loans.
Is Kean University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kean University earn a median of $57,237, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Kean University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kean University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.42%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 30.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $79,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Kean University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kean University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.07). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Kean University.
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO · Close peer47% grad $64,270 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · Close peer54% grad $55,198 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE · Close peer47% grad $53,909 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL · Close peer49% grad $57,808 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-Dominguez HillsCarson, CA · Close peer45% grad $57,162 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN · Close peer54% grad $56,922 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Kean University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kean University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.07). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note