# Is Kent State a Good School in 2026? An In\-Depth Look

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/is-kent-state-a-good-school-in-2023-an-in-depth-look/
- Published: 2024-03-10
- Author: Charlene Farwell
- Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/)

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With over 30,000 students across multiple campuses, Kent State University is the third largest university in Ohio. But is it still a good school option in 2023? This comprehensive 4500 word guide takes an in-depth, data-driven look across key indicators – from academics and outcomes to costs and student life – to help evaluate if Kent State is the right fit for you.

## A Leading Public University in Northeast Ohio

Founded in 1910 as a teacher training college, Kent State has grown into an influential public research university over the past century. Across its eight campuses in Northeast Ohio, Kent State now offers over 300 degree programs to a diverse student population hailing from all 50 states and 104 countries.

**Kent State University Key Facts:**

- Location: Kent, OH and 7 Regional Campuses
- Students: 30,648 (Fall 2022 Total)
- Acceptance Rate: 85% (Fall 2022)
- Retention Rate: 73% (Fall 2021 Cohort)
- 6-Year Grad Rate: 54% (2015 Cohort)
- Student-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
- Ohio Residents: 76% of Fall 2022 class

As the third largest university in Ohio, Kent State provides extensive academic offerings paired with Division I athletics and robust student life participation opportunities. While graduation and retention rates lag national public university averages slightly, Kent State continues delivering quality education at affordable tuition rates for many Ohio residents.

**Table 1: Kent State Academics at a Glance**

| Metric | KSU Figure | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total Students | 30,648 | Fall 2022 across 8 campuses |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 19:1 | Lower than OH public avg of 19.7:1 |
| Average Class Size | 25 students | Varies significantly by major |
| Retention Rate | 73% | First to second year retention |
| 6-Year Graduation Rate | 54% | For 2015 entering class |
| Accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Full accreditation confirmed through 2029-2030 |

## Top-Notch Academics Across Diverse Disciplines

With 16 academic colleges offering over 300 degree programs, Kent State delivers extensive academic opportunities spanning traditional liberal arts fields as well as emerging disciplines.

### Highly Ranked Areas of Study

While Kent State earns generally solid academics marks, some of its stand-out highly ranked programs make it a competitive choice for focused majors. These include:

- **Fashion Design:** #16 nationwide
- **Library Science:** #20 nationally
- **Speech Pathology:** #47 nationally
- **Fine Arts:** Top 3% nationally

The College of Business also garners attention, ranked among the country‘s top 140 undergraduate business schools with over a dozen specialty master‘s programs available too.

**Table 2: College Graduation Rates**

Reviewing cohort graduation figures over the past decade, completion percentages vary widely across Kent State‘s different academic colleges:

| College | 6-Year Graduation Rate |
| --- | --- |
| Aeronautics & Engineering | 42% |
| Applied & Technical Studies | 61% |
| Architecture & Environmental Design | 54% |
| Arts & Sciences | 49% |
| Business Administration | 57% |
| Communication & Information | 52% |
| Education, Health & Human Services | 65% |
| Nursing | 75% |

From these statistics, graduates from Kent State‘s Nursing College see the strongest completion at 75% – significantly above the university-wide average. Completion lags for majors like Aeronautics & Engineering.

### Strategic Investment in STEM Education

In recent years, Kent State continues expanding science, technology, engineering and math offerings – steering over 25% more students into these high-demand majors since 2015.

Capital investments have bolstered STEM infrastructure too. Since 2010, over **$300 million** funded construction of advanced new science labs, computing hubs and technology-enabled active learning classrooms. State-of-the-art facilities drive greater hands-on educational experiences.

How do these STEM investments stack up against competitors though?

Kent State‘s 525 STEM degrees granted in 2021-2022 academic year still trails The Ohio State University‘s 5,305. However, among other public universities in Northeast Ohio like Akron and Cleveland State, Kent State confers the most STEM bachelor‘s and master‘s credentials.

As the university builds additional health sciences programs and interdisciplinary offerings like data analytics and information technology, enrollment growth continues rising across STEM fields.

## Affordable Tuition for Ohio Residents

As an affordable public university option, Kent State offers a quality education with total yearly costs remaining below comparable private colleges for in-state residents.

**Figure 1. Kent State Published Tuition and Fees**

![Kent State Tuition Graph](https://33rdsquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KSU-Tuition-2023.png)

_Data Source: Kent State Office of Student Accounting Services_

### Lower Tuition Growth Than National Averages

Reviewing Kent State‘s published tuition rates over the past decade indicates average yearly increases around 2% for in-state students. This remains below the approximate 3% national average for 4-year public universities.

Out-of-state Kent State students faced slightly higher average bumps around 3% to 5% annually. So while absolute dollar amounts rise each year, the university keeps percentage increases relatively modest through tighter budgets. That aids to maintain fair affordability.

Nonetheless, wider reforms are still needed to make higher education more financially accessible…

### Reining in Non-Tuition College Costs

While Kent State earns praise for controlled tuition growth, other expenses like campus housing, meal plans, student fees and textbooks drain wallets too.

**_Over the past 20 years, these additional non-tuition costs rose 169% nationally – 2.5x faster than actual tuition fees_**. This phenomenon hits public college students particularly hard.

State disinvestment in public higher education exacerbates matters…

### Impacts of Declining State Funding Support

In Ohio, prolonged constraints on state funding levels for public universities shifted more budget responsibilities to students through higher tuition and non-tuition cost burdens. This public divestment pattern seen nationwide increases barriers around affordability and accessibility.

At Kent State, the share of total funding derived from state sources dropped from over 50% in the early 1990s to below 20% by 2022.

Despite controlled tuition hikes, recouping millions in lost public funding still flows costs to students. Those from low-to-moderate income Ohio families feel deepest impacts.

## Generous Financial Aid Opportunities

Beyond reasonable published tuition rates for a public college of its size, Kent State deserves praise for extending generous financial assistance to the nearly 90% of first-year students demonstrating aid eligibility.

**Figure 2. Kent State Financial Aid Packages**

![KSU Financial Aid Graph](https://33rdsquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KSU-Aid-Packages.png)

_Data Source: Kent State Office of Student Financial Aid_

Robust aid programs, like the **Centennial Scholarship** Initiative launched in 2010, look to meet 100% of established financial need for qualifying in-state students through a mix of grants, scholarships, work-study and affordable student loans.

For 2021-2022, average aid dispersed equaled **$13,900** per student – making earning a degree vastly more accessible for countless Ohio learners.

## Vibrant Campus Environment

Set across over 1,300 acres, Kent State‘s main campus provides a vibrant setting through green spaces, dining and gathering locales plus an eclectic mix of modern and historic academic buildings.

### Top-Notch Campus Facilities

Significant investments over the past decade enhanced Kent State‘s offerings with cutting-edge amenities:

- **New Science Research Complex** – collaborative labs and classrooms
- **Fashion School** – industry-grade design studios
- **Student Recreation Center** – pools, courts, gyms
- **Downtown Kent** – off-campus shopping, dining and entertainment

Looking ahead, Kent State‘s 2021 Campus Master Plan calls for another **>$2 billion** in construction and renovations over 10 years.

### Active Student Social Scene

Outside academics, Kent State students find abundant opportunities around sports, clubs, Greek life and over 300 registered student organizations. The following statistics demonstrate robust engagement:

- 250+ Student Clubs & Organizations
- 19 Division I Varsity Athletic Teams
- 15% of Students participate in Greek Life
- 1,200+ campus activities and events yearly

Whether their interests include student government, cultural groups, academic societies or leisure activities like gaming and yoga, Kent State learners interact through varied social circles.

## High Marks for Value Among Regional Publics

In college rankings weighing academic factors plus affordability metrics, Kent State scores extremely well for value provided – especially for Ohio residents.

**Table 4: Kent State National Rankings**

| Publication | Ranking | Methodology |
| --- | --- | --- |
| U.S. News Best Value | #73 | Graduation rates, academic quality, cost after aid |
| WSJ ROI Rankings | #164 | Graduation odds, costs, earnings potential |
| Forbes Top Colleges | #329 | Debt after graduation, career success |
| Money Best for You | #232 | Affordability, outcomes based on student profile |

Weighing debt risk and career earnings upside against costs, Kent State delivers positive ROI for many Ohio students remaining local post-graduation.

On academic prestige alone, Kent State generally ranks in the top #70-90 grouping among Midwest regional public universities and #170-200 overall in U.S. public school rankings.

## Solid Employment Outcomes for Graduates

The over 94% of Kent State seniors securing jobs or pursuing further education shortly after graduation enjoy strong in-state hiring with reasonable student debt levels.

### High Graduate Placement in Ohio

Leveraging its powerful alumni network and brand familiarity among regional employers, Kent State produces desirable local talent. Latest published outcomes figures show:

- **94% employed or in grad school within 6 months**
- **72% stayed in Ohio** for work or continued studies

Top hiring majors enjoy starting salaries averaging $55,300 in Ohio – comfortably above statewide averages. Leading employers include major Northeast Ohio corporations plus school districts and healthcare networks.

While fewer statistics exist on wider U.S. hiring, larger companies actively tap Kent State talent through national recruiting.

**Table 5: Post-Grad Outcomes By Major**

Examining employment rates and average reported earnings by major, graduates see varied outcomes aligned to career field. Higher paying roles in tech, engineering and business show strong demand.

| Major | Employed In-Field | Avg. Salary |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Marketing | 89% | $56,800 |
| Finance | 94% | $62,600 |
| Computer Science | 100% | $72,100 |
| Chemical Engineering | 75% | $69,400 |
| Visual Communication Design | 100% | $39,800 |
| Psychology | 29% | $38,400 |

Outcomes lag for popular majors like Psychology that often require advanced degrees. But overall, Kent State prepares graduates for success – especially within Ohio.

### Reasonable Student Debt Loads

For the almost 70% of Kent State students borrowing loans, they graduate with controlled debt by national comparisons:

- Average Student Debt: **$28,958**
- Federal Loan Default Rate: **6.6%** (Below 7.3% national benchmark)

Thanks to lower in-state costs and significant grant/scholarship availability, total borrowing burdens remain relatively modest for many Ohio residents earning Kent State diplomas.

Coupled with favorable regional employment rates and earnings, this facilitates effective loan repayment and responsible borrowing levels for citizens that stay local post-graduation.

## Kent State Drives Billions in Ohio Economic Impact

As a powerful state employer and workforce contributor located in Northeast Ohio‘s Summit County, Kent State University exerts substantial economic influence through:

- **8,000 Faculty & Staff** statewide
- 72% of Graduates remain in Ohio
- **3,000+** Annual Alumni Hires by Ohio Companies
- **$600 Million** Annual State Economic Output

Through its teaching staff, graduating students joining the labor force, and research expenditures, Kent State funnels billions into Ohio coffers. Plus the university attracts and retains skilled citizens.

As a top regional institution, Kent State ranked as Summit County, Ohio‘s #1 employer in 2021 – supporting almost 11,500 total jobs. Yearly it generates around $640 million total across the county when factoring wider expenditures rippling through Kent businesses.

## Supporting Learners From Diverse Backgrounds

With underrepresented minority students comprising nearly 25% of the student body and over 36% qualifying as first-generation enrollees, Kent State makes commendable strides supporting diverse learners.

However, student success levels vary significantly across ethnic groups:

- 6-Year Graduation Rate for White Students: 59%
- 6-Year Graduation Rate for Hispanic Students: 45% Black Students: 40%

To promote equity, the university launched assistance programs like the **Equity and Access Scholars Cohort** providing added academic advising, mentoring and financial support targeting graduation barriers for minority and disadvantaged college attendees.

Early results from these initiatives make progress closing success gaps – but continued focus around inclusion remains vital.

## Some Areas Still Needing Improvement

While Kent State offers excellent quality given affordable costs, every institution has opportunities for improvement. Openly discussing areas needing attention allows proactive enhancement.

### Bolstering Student Mental Health Services

Surging demand around student mental health overshadows staffing levels with long waitlists persisting for counseling and psychiatry appointments.

The single Kent State health center reporting 4,100 unique students served and 10,000 total visits during 2021-2022 exemplifies ballooning utilization.

Comparatively, published staff rosters show less than 20 dedicated counselors and minimal psychiatric providers for 30,000+ students.

Despite budget limitations, Kent State must prioritize funding additional specialized counseling staff. Bolstering mental health services will necessitate trade-offs but represents an essential investment as mental health disorders spike nationwide on college campuses threatening student wellness and retention.

### Enhancing Prevention Around Gender-Based Violence

While public safety reports indicate relatively low violent crime rates, sexual assault remains a prevailing campus concern with dozens of incidents reported annually.

Proactively protecting students through prevention education, expanding victim support resources, and fostering dialogue around consent and healthy relationships should be prioritized by university officials in coordination with student leaders.

Though budgetary constraints squeeze programming, administrator and community awareness to eradicate gender-based harassment must increase.

### Improving First-Year Retention Rates

With first-to-second year retention trailing the national public university average by 3-4%, Kent State loses roughly one in four new students before sophomore year.

Room for improvement exists helping transition and engage entering freshmen through expanded peer mentoring, financial guidance and early intervention once struggling signs emerge in a course or two.

While many universities face enrollment shifts amid pandemic impacts, stabilizing Kent State‘s retention rates secures vital tuition revenue given state funding declines. It also bolsters student advancement and graduation outcomes.

## Conclusion: Kent State Offers Value for Many Ohioans

In closing, Kent State University represents an expansive 30,000-student public college option that continues upholding affordability paired with quality academics and outcomes benefiting countless Ohio graduates.

While Kent State may not lead top national rankings lists, its breadth of reputable programs spanning 16 colleges earns strong regional employer confidence – powering billions in economic activity.

Prospective students are best served weighing program offerings and career goals against total cost factors. For budget-conscious applicants prioritizing graduation support and flexible learning formats at reasonable prices, Kent State surely delivers significant value. Its rising investment in high-potential STEM disciplines also holds exciting promise.

As a distinguished public research university, Kent State stands ready to further its mission and foster sustainable growth provided sufficient public financial reinvestment. With strong leadership advancing the institution, the years ahead look bright for Kent State strengthening communities across Northeast Ohio.

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Source: [Is Kent State a Good School in 2026? An In\-Depth Look](https://33rdsquare.com/is-kent-state-a-good-school-in-2023-an-in-depth-look/)