Kean Admission Requirements

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Union, NJ
  • 4.1 7 reviews
#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

Kean Admission Overview

Kean admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Kean admitted 75.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.2 GPA (B+) and SAT 930-1150. Kean is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Kean Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

75.9%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Kean University

Acceptance Rate

The Kean acceptance rate is 75.9%. Last year, 10,578 of 13,936 applicants were admitted. That is the 17th lowest acceptance rate in New Jersey.

Admission Selectivity

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

Kean is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Kean University typically 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. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Kean GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.2

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.2

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Kean typically have around a 3.2 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have about average high school grades. Kean is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #22 in New Jersey for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Kean University freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Kean Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Kean University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. Students with a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and at least 16 college-preparatory courses may apply without SAT or ACT scores. If you omit scores, Kean requires two letters of recommendation, a one-to-two-page personal essay, and a list of activities or work experience. Applicants who send scores should order an official report (SAT 2517); Kean superscores SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math and uses the highest ACT composite. Homeschooled students, online high school students, and GED recipients must submit test scores.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.kean.edu/offices/admissions-0/freshman-application-instructions

Kean SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

930-1150

Freshmen who sent SAT

1%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 460
  • Math 470
  • Composite 930
SAT 25th percentile scores for Kean University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 565
  • Math 585
  • Composite 1150
SAT 75th percentile scores for Kean University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Kean typically score around a 1040 SAT (middle 50% 930–1150) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 47th percentile nationally. Kean ranks #23 in the state of New Jersey for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 930 to 1150

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Kean is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1040 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Kean University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1150+ Above 75th >86%
1040 to 1150 Avg + 76%-86%
930 to 1040 Avg - 62%-76%
Below 930 Below mid-50 <62%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Kean ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

Not Reported

Freshmen reporting ACT

-

25th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 25th percentile scores for Kean University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English N/A
  • Math N/A
  • Composite N/A
ACT 75th percentile scores for Kean University

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Kean chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Kean University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,517 5,419 13,936
Accepted 6,697 3,881 10,578
Acceptance Rate 79% 72% 76%
Enrolled 1,201 774 1,975
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 20% 19%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Kean University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

349

Applicants have 349 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Kean University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Kean is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 75.9% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.2 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (930-1150); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Kean University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=185262.

GPA calculator: Kean University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026