Keene State College
#1 Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,368 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,887 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 90% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 18.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire.
Every $1 spent returns $18.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,234,753.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 33% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Keene State College Matters
Keene State College is a public college in Keene, NH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. 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 College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate College
- Enrollment
- 2,699
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Visual & Performing Arts, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education
Why students choose Keene State College
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
Accessible — admits about 90% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,887 a year after grants and scholarships — 4% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,368 ten years after enrolling — 33% above the typical college, against $25,749 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 80% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 90%, Keene State College is an inviting option for students who may be looking for a supportive environment to explore their academic interests. This school is particularly well-suited for those drawn to programs in Visual and Performing Arts, Business and Marketing, Education, Health Professions, and Psychology. It strikes a balance between a diverse curriculum and a focus on personal growth, making it a place where students can find their passion without the pressure of highly competitive admissions.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $54,368 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the potential for upward mobility, especially for graduates from programs in fields like Health Professions and Business. While the graduation rate sits at 59%, it's essential to consider that many students find meaningful paths, even if they take a bit longer to finish their degree. The college's affordability, with a net price of $17,887, makes it a viable option for many.
When it comes to the financial aspect, students carry a median debt of $25,749, which is manageable when balanced against their earning potential. The fact that 26% of students receive Pell Grants suggests that Keene State is accessible to those from lower-income backgrounds. Typically, students who thrive here are those who engage with the campus community and take advantage of the resources available, both academically and socially. This supportive atmosphere can make a significant difference in their overall experience and success.
Rankings
- #1 Best Online Colleges in New Hampshire
- #1 Best Education Colleges in New Hampshire
- #2 Best Colleges in New Hampshire
- #2 Best Bachelor's Programs in New Hampshire
- #2 Best Master's Programs in New Hampshire
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in New Hampshire
- #4 Best Business Colleges in New Hampshire
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire
Can I Get In?
How selective Keene State College 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 Keene State College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Keene State College, located in Keene, New Hampshire, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 50%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,286
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.30
- First-Gen Students
- 23%
- Applicants
- 4,487
- Admitted
- 4,017
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 Keene State College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Keene State College is $26,840, 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 $17,887. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,192 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,749 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $14,784
- Out-of-State
- $26,840
- Avg Net Price
- $17,887
- Median Debt
- $25,749
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 67%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,192
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,536
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,045
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,928
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Keene State College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Keene State College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Keene State College earn a median of $54,368, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,649
- 8 Years
- $50,144
- 10 Years
- $54,368
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 66%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (667)
- 53%
- 100% (667)
- 53%
- 100% (667)
- 53%
- 100% (667)
- 53%
How Keene 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 Keene State College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Keene State College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,887/year ($71,548 total). Graduates earn $54,368 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,306,301 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,234,753 (18.3× your investment). The median debt is $25,749, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $71,548
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,306,301
- Net Return
- $1,234,753
- ROI Multiple
- 18.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,887
- Median Debt
- $25,749
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
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 Keene State College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Keene State College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.95%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $97,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.95%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 20.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $132,740
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,056,447
- Investment Income
- $-3,591,618
Top Programs
The fields Keene State College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Visual & Performing Arts 13% $40,390 early-career
- Business & Marketing 11% $49,387 early-career
- Psychology 10% $35,879 early-career
- Education 9% $44,638 early-career
- Health Professions 6% $74,665 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $49,653 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $66,174 early-career
- Communications 3% $42,363 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Keene State College'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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Keene State College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Keene State College, located in Keene, New Hampshire, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 25. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Keene State College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Keene State College is $26,840, 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 $17,887. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,192 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,749 in federal student loans.
Is Keene State College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Keene State College earn a median of $54,368, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Keene State College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Keene State College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.95%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 20% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $97,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Keene State College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Keene State College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Keene State College.
- Frostburg State UniversityFrostburg, MD · Close peer51% grad $55,493 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusTeaneck, NJ · Close peer58% grad $57,273 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth, NH · Close peer50% grad $57,304 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Longwood UniversityFarmville, VA · Close peer61% grad $52,347 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT · Close peer58% grad $56,469 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg, MA · Close peer54% grad $53,874 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Keene State College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Keene State College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note