Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
North Canton, Ohio
Kent State University at Stark — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.16Avg GPA
$15,418Annual Cost
$45,388Grad Salary
29%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.16
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$11,310
Need-Based Aid
29% receive Pell
Kent State University at Stark OH Kent State University at Stark combines the affordability and accessibility of a regional campus with the resources of the larger Kent State University system. Students can begin or complete bachelor's degrees while benefiting from smaller class sizes and personalized academic support.\n\nThe campus is particularly attractive for students seeking programs in business, education, nursing, psychology, and applied sciences. Many students value the opportunity to earn a respected Kent State degree while studying closer to home and at a lower cost.
Kent State University at Stark Acceptance Rate
Kent State University at Stark runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.16 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.96 – 3.15
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.71
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Kent State University at Stark Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Kent State University at Stark follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Kent State University at Stark reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (Scholarship Priority: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Kent State University at Stark GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Kent State University at Stark is 3.16. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.86–3.16 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.36–3.56.Kent State University at Stark GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.16 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.96 – 3.15
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.76 – 2.95
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.75
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Application fee is $50 (waived automatically for veterans, active-duty, reserve, and National Guard applicants); general university admission is comparatively accessible
- Traditional BSN requires two applications: general university admission, then a separate, highly competitive Professional Nursing Sequence application submitted near the end of freshman year (~30 completed credit hours) - admission is never guaranteed
- Early Admission (direct-entry) exists for incoming freshmen who declare Kent State as their first choice and meet either a 2.7 HS GPA + 22 ACT/1100 SAT, or a 3.0 GPA alone; seats are limited
- Progression requires a minimum 2.750 combined GPA across specific named prerequisite science courses (not just overall GPA), and students previously dismissed from another nursing program are not eligible for the Traditional Entry concentration
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Kent State University at Stark
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Kent State University at Stark'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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Kent State University at Stark Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Kent State University at Stark is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Kent State University at Stark Without SAT or ACT?
Kent State University at Stark's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Kent State University at Stark
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Kent State University at Stark's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Recognize that Traditional BSN admission is a two-stage process - general Kent State admission does not include nursing
Being admitted to Kent State at Stark gets you into the university, not into the nursing major. Near the end of your first year (around 30 completed credit hours), you must submit a separate, highly competitive Professional Nursing Sequence application - and admission is explicitly "never guaranteed," even for students already enrolled and in good standing. Plan your freshman year prerequisite coursework and GPA specifically around clearing this second gate, not just around general good grades.
Pursue Early Admission (direct-entry) if you qualify as an incoming freshman
Students who declare Kent State as their first-choice school can secure a nursing sequence seat directly as incoming freshmen through Early Admission - qualifying with either a 2.7 high school GPA plus a 22 ACT composite/1100 SAT, or a 3.0 GPA alone (no test score needed). Seats are limited, so if you're a strong high school applicant genuinely committed to Kent State nursing, apply for Early Admission status explicitly rather than defaulting to the standard two-stage pathway and its added competitive risk.
Track your combined science-course GPA separately from your overall GPA
Progression into the Professional Nursing Sequence requires a minimum 2.750 combined GPA across a specific set of named prerequisite science courses (particular biology and chemistry courses), not just your general university GPA. A strong overall GPA propped up by non-science electives won't satisfy this requirement - monitor your grades in the specific required science sequence as its own metric from day one.
Claim your military fee waiver automatically if it applies to you
The $50 admission application fee is automatically waived for all veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, and National Guard soldiers - indicate your status at the start of the application rather than paying the fee, since Kent State applies this waiver as standard practice for verified military applicants.
Expert Insight:
The most consequential misunderstanding is treating admission to Kent State at Stark as admission to its nursing program. The Traditional Entry BSN requires a separate, competitive Professional Nursing Sequence application after enrollment, and students who don't secure it - despite paying tuition and completing a full first year as Kent State students - must reapply, switch to a different health-related major, or transfer elsewhere, a costly outcome for students who assumed general acceptance was sufficient.
Kent State University at Stark Profile
Full Name
Kent State University at Stark
City
North Canton
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
44720-7599
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Kent State University at Stark Degree Worth It?
At $15,418/year against a $45,388 median graduate salary, Kent State University at Stark is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $59,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.94%.
How much does a degree from Kent State University at Stark Cost?
The sticker price is $15,418/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $11,310.
29% of students receive a Pell Grant and 36.2% take federal loans at Kent State University at Stark — file your FAFSA early and list Kent State University at Stark as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Kent State University at Stark Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $45,388 — about 12% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Kent State University at Stark
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Kent State University at Stark Admissions
Median earnings for Kent State University at Stark graduates sit around $45,388 a year.
At about $15,418 a year, Kent State University at Stark is on the more affordable end.
About 29.0% receive a Pell Grant at Kent State University at Stark — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
Admitted students at Kent State University at Stark average a 3.16 GPA.
Kent State University at Stark doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 2.86 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.76, Kent State University at Stark becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
Kent State University at Stark follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Scholarship Priority: 2026/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.