University of South Alabama vs. Kean

Should I go to University of South Alabama or Kean University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of South Alabama or Kean is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of South Alabama vs. Kean University comparison
University of South Alabama Kean University College 3 College 4
University of South Alabama Kean University
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Overview

University of South Alabama Kean
Location Mobile, AL Union, NJ
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 13,768 13,352
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #750 #696
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website southalabama.edu kean.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of South Alabama Kean
Tuition (In State) $8,976 $11,135
Tuition (Out of State) $17,952 $18,785
Room & Board $8,830 $16,592
Avg Net Price $13,613 $11,593
Avg Grant Aid $8,500 $12,982
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 91%

Admission

University of South Alabama Kean
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,593 12,142
Admitted 8,247 9,335
Acceptance Rate 65.5% 76.9%
Enrolled % 23.3% 21.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.69 3.2
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/26
SAT Range 1015/1200 1020/1198
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2026 Aug 15, 2026

Academics

University of South Alabama Kean
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (27%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

University of South Alabama Kean
Graduation Rate 39% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,200 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 45% 52%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $253 $258

Diversity

University of South Alabama Kean
% Men 7% 4%
% Women 28% 12%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 59% 36%
% Black 24% 20%
% Hispanic 3% 27%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 8%

Students

University of South Alabama Kean
% In-State 73% 89%
% Out-of-State 26% 4%

Campus

University of South Alabama Kean
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Alabama is larger than than Kean based on total student enrollment (13,768 students vs. 13,352 students)

University of South Alabama vs. Kean Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Alabama or Kean?

  • Kean University is 24.1% more expensive to attend than University of South Alabama for in-state tuition ($11,135.00 vs. $8,976.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.6% higher at Kean than University of South Alabama ($18,785.00 vs. $17,952.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kean University than University of South Alabama ($11,593 vs. $13,613)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Alabama are 87.9% lower than costs at Kean University ($8,830 vs. $16,592)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Alabama than Kean University (94% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 52.7% larger than aid received University of South Alabama ($12,982 vs. $8,500)

University of South Alabama vs. Kean Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Alabama or Kean? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Kean or University of South Alabama .

  • The average SAT score at University of South Alabama (1045) is 117 points higher than at Kean (928)
  • Incoming University of South Alabama students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Kean (19)
  • Accepted freshman University of South Alabama students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at Kean (3.2)
  • Kean has a higher acceptance rate (76.9%) than University of South Alabama (65.5%)

University of South Alabama vs. Kean Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of South Alabama or Kean? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Kean and University of South Alabama.

  • The graduation rate at Kean is higher than University of South Alabama (49% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Kean University earn on average $1,200 more per year than University of South Alabama graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $45,200)
  • University of South Alabama students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Kean graduates. ($24,500 vs. $25,000)
  • University of South Alabama graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Kean graduates. ($253 vs. $258)
  • More Kean graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Alabama students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/