Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Keene, New Hampshire
89.1% Acceptance Rate
Keene State College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
89.1%Acceptance Rate
3.1Avg GPA
1070Avg SAT
$29,524Annual Cost
$54,368Grad Salary
23.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
89.1%
Avg GPA
3.1
Avg SAT
1070
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Branch Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1030–1100
Avg Net Price
$19,164
Need-Based Aid
23.7% receive Pell
Keene State College is a public, liberal arts-focused institution in New Hampshire known for its supportive community and experiential learning approach. Admissions evaluate academic record and potential for engagement in a small-college environment. The college seeks students who are curious, self-motivated, and eager to participate in an environment that bridges rigorous liberal arts study with professional and career-oriented learning.
Successful applicants often show a history of being engaged in high school, whether through community service, arts, or academic clubs. The college values personal fit, so highlighting a student's desire for a personalized educational experience where they can work closely with professors and peers is a strong strategy. A successful application includes evidence of the student's readiness to take responsibility for their academic and professional development within a nurturing and collaborative environment.
Keene State College Acceptance Rate
Keene State College (KSC) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 89.1%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 89.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.65
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
KSC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at KSC is 3.1. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.30-3.50 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 2.80 and 3.1, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
KSC GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at KSC utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.1, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.10 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.90 – 3.09
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.70 – 2.89
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.69
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Keene State is the only institution in the U.S. offering a four-year BA (major and minor) in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, alongside a graduate program and the Cohen Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
- Safety & Occupational Health Applied Sciences is the college's second-largest major, supported by a dedicated Technology, Design, and Safety (TDS) Center and its own Master's-level program.
- Keene State does not have on-campus ROTC; interested students must enroll through a cooperating host institution.
- Homeschooled applicants are actively recruited and reviewed similarly to traditional students, provided they submit a transcript with course descriptions meeting their home state's regulations.
- The Rigor Metric: At KSC, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at KSC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Keene State College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Keene State College (KSC) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into KSC Without SAT or ACT?
Keene State College does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Keene State College Average SAT Score: 1070
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Keene State College is 1070 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1070 — Accessible
This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1070 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1100 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Keene State College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1030, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at KSC. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1070 | 1030 | 1100 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1030 then you are below most of the admitted students at KSC and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1100 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Keene State College (KSC) with a 1100 SAT?
With a 1100 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Keene State College (KSC) are good but the admission staff at KSC tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for KSC
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
KSC is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
If aiming for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, name it explicitly in your essay
Keene State houses the only four-year BA (with major and minor) in Holocaust and Genocide Studies in the United States, alongside a graduate program and the Cohen Center - a genuinely singular offering nationally. A student interested in this field should reference it specifically and explain why this exact program (not just "history" or "social justice" broadly) draws them, since admissions and the department both benefit from knowing this is a deliberate, informed choice rather than a fallback major.
Safety & Occupational Health applicants: lean into the program's scale, not just interest
Safety & Occupational Health Applied Sciences is Keene State's second-largest major and has grown enough to support its own Master's program and a dedicated high-tech TDS (Technology, Design, and Safety) Center - this isn't a boutique offering but a flagship program with real institutional investment. A student should mention specific interest in the TDS Center's hands-on facilities or the ASSE student chapter's professional conference in their application materials, since this signals genuine program-level research rather than a generic safety-career interest.
Homeschoolers: submit a structured coursework-with-descriptions transcript, not a narrative summary
Keene State explicitly wants a transcript containing a list of coursework with descriptions from homeschooled applicants - not a general narrative of the student's homeschool experience. A homeschooling family should build this document methodically, one line per course with a short description, treating it as the functional equivalent of a traditional high school transcript rather than an essay-style account of the student's education.
Understand the New Start Program if readmission is ever relevant
Keene State's readmission process for students returning after academic suspension includes a specific "New Start Program" available after a full academic semester away, distinct from the standard "Continuation" readmission path - this is worth knowing upfront for any student with an interrupted academic record, since New Start status affects how the returning student's prior record factors into their standing. A prospective student or family with this situation should raise it directly with an admissions counselor rather than assuming standard readmission rules apply.
Expert Insight:
Because Keene State's test-optional, high-acceptance profile suggests a low-stakes application, families sometimes submit a thin or generic essay - but Keene reportedly does weigh the personal statement in review, and a student targeting a genuinely singular program like Holocaust and Genocide Studies or the large Safety & Occupational Health major loses real signal value by writing generically instead of naming the specific program and its distinctive resources.
KSC Profile
Full Name
Keene State College (KSC)
City
Keene
State
New Hampshire
ZIP Code
03435-1506
Type
Public
Campus
Branch Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a KSC Degree Worth It?
Getting into KSC can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. KSC offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at KSC is $75,900 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.85%.
How much does a degree from KSC Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Keene State College is $29,524. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Keene State College is $19,164.
23.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 68.4 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to KSC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Keene State College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist KSC as your choice in the form.
How much does a KSC Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $54,368. An average KSC graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Keene State College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Keene State College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
| Shorter University | Rome, GA | 1075 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Keene State College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at KSC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Keene State College →
Frequently Asked Questions About KSC Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $54,368 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $29,524 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
23.7% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
The acceptance rate of Keene State College is 89.1% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.1. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.8, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.8, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.7 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.1, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Keene State College is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1070 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1030–1100.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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