Kean vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kean University in Union, NJ with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kean University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kean University is located in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kean University 17:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Kean vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kean or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kean University than NSU ($12,708 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 42% lower than at Kean University ($10,600 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 61.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $5,454 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $8,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.9% higher at Kean than at Northern State University (about $10,499 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Kean University (97% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 133.6% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($15,048 vs. $6,441).

Kean vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kean or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and Kean.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 30 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kean University 930/1150; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorthern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kean - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NSU students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Kean (3.2).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.7% at Kean vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Kean vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kean and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern State University graduates have a $601 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($24,399 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, NSU graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($252 vs. $258).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.