Kean vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kean University in Union, NJ with Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kean University is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 5,605 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kean University is located in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Virginia State University is in Petersburg, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kean University 17:1; Virginia State University 13:1.

Kean vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kean or VSU? 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 VSU ($12,708 vs. $17,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia State University are 26.9% lower than at Kean University ($13,355 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 42.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $4,256 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $10,043.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at VSU than at Kean University (about $204 more per year; $22,650.00 vs. $22,446.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia State University than at Kean University (92% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 20.9% larger than aid received by Virginia State University students ($15,048 vs. $12,447).

Kean vs. VSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kean or VSU? 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 VSU and Kean.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kean University (1040) is 80 points higher than at VSU (960).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kean University 930/1150; Virginia State University 840/1070.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsVirginia State University 14/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kean - Test optional; VSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027; VSU May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Kean students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at VSU (2.85).
• VSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.6%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.7% at Kean vs. 14.3% at VSU.

Kean vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kean and VSU? 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 Virginia State University's (40%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kean University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $29,500).
• Among borrowers, Kean graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($258 vs. $305).
• More Kean graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 28%)

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.