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#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

Kean Admission Requirements

Union, New Jersey

 6 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Kean University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

82.6%
Admission Difficulty for Kean University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Kean is 82.6%.  Its admission rate is the 22nd lowest in New Jersey.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Kean and can you get accepted?

Kean University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 8,661 out of the 10,485 who applied were admitted.

Kean University typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.2. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 23% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Kean?

83% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Kean University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.2 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1030 on the SAT
  • Score 20 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Kean GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.2

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Kean University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Kean are to have around a 3.2 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.2 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Kean accepts 83% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Kean is 3.2 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #22 in New Jersey for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Kean is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Kean University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 8.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 11.0% Good
3.50 to 3.74 17.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 14.0% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 18.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 24.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 8.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Kean SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Kean University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 13% of students submitted SAT scores and 1% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

900-1160

Applicants Submitting SAT 

13%
SAT Scores for Kean University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 450
Math 25th Percentile 450
Composite 25th Percentile 900
SAT Scores for Kean University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 580
Math 75th Percentile 580
Composite 75th Percentile 1160
Average SAT Score 1030

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Kean University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Kean is 1030 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 900-1160. Students who get into Kean University score in the top 78 percent of all SAT test takers..  Kean ranks #23 in the state of New Jersey for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1030 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Kean regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 900 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 900, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 770, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Kean University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1030 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1030, you have around a 83% chance of being admitted. A 1160 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 90% chance of getting in.

Kean University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1160 and Above Good >90%
1030 to 1160 Avg + 83%-90%
900 to 1030 Avg - 72%-83%
770 to 900 Reach 57%-72%
Less than 770 Low <57%
Calculate My Chances 

Kean ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

16-25 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

1%
ACT Scores for Kean University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile 16
ACT Scores for Kean University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile 25
Average ACT Score 20

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Kean?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Kean is 20, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 16 and 25.  The school ranks #20 in New Jersey for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 20. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 16 and score in the score in the top 75 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 12.

1 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Kean University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Kean University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Kean for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 20 score has around 83% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 91% with a 25 ACT score.

Kean University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >91%
20 to 25 Avg + 83%-91%
16 to 20 Avg - 73%-83%
12 to 16 Reach 61%-73%
Less than 12 Low <61%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

68% of Kean University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 36% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Kean University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 15%
Top 25% of class 36%
Top 50% of class 68%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Kean University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 6,424 4,061 10,485
Accepted 5,465 3,196 8,661
Acceptance Rate 85% 79% 83%
Enrolled 1,155 813 1,968
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 21% 25% 23%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

264

Applicants have 264 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Kean University is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Kean University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Kean University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Kean University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Kean University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.2 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1030 and ACT of 20 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Kean University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=185262 IPEDS survey data for Kean University.

Last updated February 24, 2024