University of Akron vs. Kent State

Deciding between University of Akron Main Campus and Kent State University at Kent? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Akron Main Campus
Kent State University at Kent

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Akron Akron, OH
  • Kent State Kent, OH
  • Setting
  • University of Akron Midsize City
  • Kent State Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Akron 13,332
  • Kent State 26,374
  • Type
  • University of Akron Public 4 Year
  • Kent State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Akron #827
  • Kent State #807
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Akron -
  • Kent State -
  • Status
  • University of Akron Non-profit
  • Kent State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Akron
  • Kent State
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Akron $13,135
  • Kent State $13,232
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Akron $20,815
  • Kent State $23,082
  • Room & Board
  • University of Akron $11,904
  • Kent State $13,794
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Akron $14,693
  • Kent State $21,278
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Akron $11,551
  • Kent State $10,076
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Akron 95%
  • Kent State 95%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Akron 18,025
  • Kent State 24,611
  • Admitted
  • University of Akron 10,755
  • Kent State 21,248
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Akron 59.7% Open
  • Kent State 86.3%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Akron 18.3% Open
  • Kent State 20.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Akron 1050
  • Kent State 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Akron 21
  • Kent State 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Akron 3.47
  • Kent State 3.61
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Akron B+
  • Kent State A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Akron Easy
  • Kent State Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Akron Low
  • Kent State
  • ACT Range
  • University of Akron 17/25
  • Kent State 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • University of Akron 900/1190
  • Kent State 1010/1240
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Akron Open admission
  • Kent State Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Akron Aug 1, 2027
  • Kent State Aug 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Akron 17:1
  • Kent State 20:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Akron
    • Business (17%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Engineering Technology (6%)
  • Kent State
    • Business (21%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Akron 38%
  • Kent State 50%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Akron $40,100
  • Kent State $40,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Akron 45%
  • Kent State 46%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Akron $25,500
  • Kent State $25,825
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Akron $263
  • Kent State $267
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Akron 50%
  • Kent State 37%
  • % Women
  • University of Akron 50%
  • Kent State 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Akron Low
  • Kent State Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Akron No
  • Kent State No
  • % White
  • University of Akron 74%
  • Kent State 75%
  • % Asian
  • University of Akron 2%
  • Kent State 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Akron 12%
  • Kent State 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Akron 2%
  • Kent State 3%
  • % Native American
  • University of Akron 0%
  • Kent State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Akron 0%
  • Kent State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Akron 4%
  • Kent State 3%
  • % International
  • University of Akron 2%
  • Kent State 6%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Akron 3%
  • Kent State 3%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Akron 91%
  • Kent State 80%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Akron 7%
  • Kent State 16%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Akron Yes
  • Kent State Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Akron No
  • Kent State No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Akron Yes
  • Kent State Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Akron Yes
  • Kent State Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Akron Yes
  • Kent State Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Akron Main Campus in Akron, OH with Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kent State University at Kent is larger than University of Akron based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 13,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, OH (Midsize City setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Akron Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Akron Main Campus 17:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

University of Akron vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Akron or Kent State? 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 University of Akron Main Campus than Kent State ($14,693 vs. $21,278).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Akron Main Campus are 13.7% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($11,904 vs. $13,794).
  • Kent State University at Kent is 0.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Akron (about $97 more per year; $13,232.00 vs. $13,135.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at Kent State than at University of Akron Main Campus (about $2,267 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $20,815.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Akron Main Campus as at Kent State University at Kent (95% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Akron Main Campus students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($11,551 vs. $10,076).

University of Akron vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Akron or Kent State? 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 Kent State and University of Akron.

  • University of Akron Main Campus reports an open admissions policy.
  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kent State University at Kent (1130) is 80 points higher than at University of Akron (1050).
  • Incoming University of Akron students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Kent State (21).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Akron Main Campus 900/1190; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Akron Main Campus 17/25; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Akron - Open admission; Kent State - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Akron Aug 1, 2027; Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Kent State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at University of Akron (3.47).
  • Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than University of Akron (59.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.3% at University of Akron vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

University of Akron vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Akron and Kent State? 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).

  • Kent State University at Kent's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of Akron Main Campus's (38%).
  • Graduates from Kent State University at Kent earn a median of about $200 more per year than University of Akron graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Akron Main Campus graduates have a $325 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($25,500 vs. $25,825).
  • Among borrowers, University of Akron graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($263 vs. $267).
  • More Kent State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Akron students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 45%)

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.