Kent State University at Kent
- Graduation Rate
- 65% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,388 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $20,787 C-
- 21% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 86% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.6 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $12.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $962,577.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Kent State University at Kent Matters
Kent State University at Kent is a public research university in Kent, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and 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 Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 19,320
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts, Psychology
Why students choose Kent State University at Kent
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 86% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1010–1240. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,787 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,388 ten years after enrolling — 11% above the typical college, against $24,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.49 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 86%, Kent State University at Kent is a welcoming place for students eager to explore diverse fields. Those interested in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts, Education, or Psychology will find robust programs that cater to their passions and career goals. The campus environment is supportive, making it a good fit for students who thrive in a community-oriented setting.
Looking ahead to post-graduation, Kent State graduates see a median earning of $45,388 within ten years. While this figure gives a glimpse into potential financial stability, it's also worth noting the affordability of education here. With the net price averaging $20,787 after aid, many students find that they can manage their educational expenses without overwhelming debt.
In terms of financial burden, the median debt for graduates stands at $24,500, which is manageable given the earnings potential. Students who tend to thrive at Kent State are those ready to engage with the community and take advantage of the opportunities available, both academically and socially. The environment encourages growth, making it a solid choice for individuals looking to carve out their path in life.
Rankings
- #24 Best Communications Colleges in Ohio
- #29 Best Online Education Programs in Ohio
- #33 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Ohio
- #35 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Ohio
- #35 Best Online Business Programs in Ohio
- #38 Best Online Nursing Programs in Ohio
- #42 Best Psychology Colleges in Ohio
- #43 Best Education Colleges in Ohio
Can I Get In?
How selective Kent State University at Kent 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 Kent State University at Kent? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Kent, Ohio, Kent State University at Kent admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,099. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Retention Rate
- 81%
- SAT Average
- 1099
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 1010–1240
- ACT Range
- 18–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 61%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,622
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 36%
- Applicants
- 20,369
- Admitted
- 17,929
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 Kent State University at Kent? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kent State University at Kent is $23,082, 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 $20,787. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,280 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,232
- Out-of-State
- $23,082
- Avg Net Price
- $20,787
- Median Debt
- $24,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 50%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,280
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $15,718
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,296
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,278
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 Kent State University at Kent — 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 Kent State University at Kent Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kent State University at Kent earn a median of $45,388, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,179
- 8 Years
- $43,003
- 10 Years
- $45,388
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 60%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,021)
- 48%
- 100% (2,021)
- 48%
- 100% (2,021)
- 48%
- 100% (2,021)
- 48%
How Kent Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Kent State University at Kent Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Kent State University at Kent delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,787/year ($83,148 total). Graduates earn $45,388 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,045,725 in total earnings — a net gain of $962,577 (12.6× your investment). The median debt is $24,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 65% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,148
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,045,725
- Net Return
- $962,577
- ROI Multiple
- 12.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,787
- Median Debt
- $24,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-15,351,000
Top Programs
The fields Kent State University at Kent 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.
- Business & Marketing 21% $68,462 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $67,814 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 8% $45,289 early-career
- Psychology 8% $29,279 early-career
- Education 8% $40,860 early-career
- Communications 6% $45,837 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $33,206 early-career
- Social Sciences 3% $39,121 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 Kent State University at Kent'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
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kent State University at Kent? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Kent, Ohio, Kent State University at Kent admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,099. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kent State University at Kent? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kent State University at Kent is $23,082, 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 $20,787. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,280 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $24,500 in federal student loans.
Is Kent State University at Kent Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kent State University at Kent earn a median of $45,388, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Kent State University at Kent? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kent State University at Kent. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Kent State University at Kent.
- Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH · Close peer66% grad $52,581 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Boise State UniversityBoise, ID · Close peer61% grad $51,658 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS · Close peer65% grad $51,513 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM · Close peer54% grad $44,792 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC · Close peer74% grad $51,836 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Kent State University at Kent? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kent State University at Kent. Its economic connectedness score is 1.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note