Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Kent, Ohio
86.7% Acceptance Rate
Kent State University at Kent — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
86.7%Acceptance Rate
3.61Avg GPA
1095Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$29,345Annual Cost
$45,388Grad Salary
27.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
86.7%
Avg GPA
3.61
Avg SAT
1095
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1000–1230
ACT Middle 50%
18–25
Avg Net Price
$19,614
Need-Based Aid
27.4% receive Pell
Kent State University at Kent is a major public research university in Ohio known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global engagement. Offering a wide range of programs in a dynamic campus environment, the university provides a transformative educational experience that prepares students for success in an interconnected world.
Kent State University at Kent Acceptance Rate
Kent State University at Kent runs an open-access admission policy. With a 86.7% 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. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 86.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.16
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Kent State University at Kent Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Kent State University at Kent follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Kent State University at Kent 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.
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: January 15
💡 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 Kent GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Kent State University at Kent is 3.61. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.31 and 3.61? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.81–4.01.Kent State University at Kent GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.61 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.41 – 3.60
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.21 – 3.40
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.20
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate is approximately 86% (2024-25 data); average admitted GPA is 3.6; middle 50% ACT range is 18?25 (test-optional); no essay required for general admission, though a personal statement is considered if submitted. Priority deadline: November 1; Honors College eligibility cutoff: December 1; general deadline: August 1. Application fee: $45 domestic, $70 international. KSU uses both its own application and Common App.
- School of Fashion is ranked #1 in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising in the Midwest; both Fashion Design and Merchandising require a mandatory internship AND a study-away experience as degree requirements. Study-away application opens December 1, closes December 15, first-come-first-served. NYC Fashion Studio charges Kent State tuition rates (not NYC program rates). More than 3,000 Fashion alumni work at major global brands.
- Honors College scholarship (up to full tuition): requires 4.0 GPA, December 1 admission cutoff, January 15 Honors application deadline, two short-answer essay questions. Total scholarships awarded to first-year students in 2024-25: $80 million. Total financial aid: $375 million to 26,000+ students. 93% of first-year students received financial assistance in 2024-25.
- Program-specific admissions: Architecture (3.0 GPA min), Cybersecurity Engineering (3.0 GPA, calculus placement), Nursing (math/biology/chemistry completion), Speech Pathology (3.0 GPA min), Music (audition required), Musical Theatre BFA (audition via Acceptd, February?March dates), Dance BFA (audition via Acceptd, solo + combinations + letter of recommendation). Students not meeting specific-major requirements may be admitted to a related pre-major or alternate program and can petition after first year in some cases.
- 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 Kent
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Kent State University at Kent'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.
Kent State University at Kent 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 Kent is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Kent State University at Kent Without SAT or ACT?
Kent State University at Kent considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Kent State University at Kent Average SAT Score: 1095
The average SAT score of admitted students at Kent State University at Kent is 1095 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1095 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1230 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Kent State University at Kent allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1000, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Kent State University at Kent. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 555 | 500 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 560 | 500 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1095 | 1000 | 1230 |
Below 1000, you're behind most admitted students; at 1230 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Kent State University at Kent with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of Kent State University at Kent's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Kent State University at Kent ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Kent State University at Kent is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 25 |
Can I get into Kent State University at Kent with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Kent State University at Kent's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Kent State University at Kent.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Kent State University at Kent
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Kent State University at Kent is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
The School of Fashion's Mandatory Internship and Study-Away Requirements Are Built Into the Degree - Plan for NYC or Florence in Year Two, Not as an Add-On
Kent State's School of Fashion - ranked #1 in Fashion Design in the Midwest and among the nation's top programs - requires all Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising students to complete both an approved internship AND a study-away experience before graduating. These are not elective enrichment opportunities; they are degree requirements. The study-away options include a semester at the university-operated NYC Fashion Studio in Manhattan's Garment District (where students pay Kent State tuition rates and participate in Fashion Week, industry internships, and employer networks), a semester in Florence, Italy, and study tours in Los Angeles and Atlanta. The study-away application opens December 1 and closes December 15 on a first-come, first-served basis - a student who misses this window must wait for a late application in January with limited seats remaining. Students should plan their four-year course sequence with study-away factored in from semester one, not as an afterthought in junior year when competition for the December window is highest.
December 1 Is the Honors College Eligibility Cutoff for Competitive Scholarships - Not Just a Priority Deadline
Kent State's merit scholarship structure has a hard internal gate: students must be admitted to KSU by December 1 to be considered for an invitation to apply to the Honors College, and Honors College membership unlocks the most substantial competitive merit awards, including awards ranging from $300 up to full tuition (general/instructional fees). Honors College admission requires a minimum 4.0 cumulative high school GPA and a separate application with two short-answer essay questions, due by January 15 of the application year. Students admitted after December 1 are still eligible for automatic merit consideration through the general August 1 deadline, but are categorically excluded from Honors College scholarship consideration - a meaningful financial distinction for high-GPA non-Ohio residents. The FAFSA priority deadline for maximum need-based aid is February 1. In 2024-25, Kent State awarded $80 million in scholarships to first-year students and $375 million in total financial aid across the institution.
Music, Musical Theatre, and Dance BFA Programs Require Auditions Independent of General Admission - Register on Acceptd Early
Kent State's College of the Arts has an explicitly accessible admissions philosophy - "no student is turned away for lack of formal training" - but the BFA programs in Musical Theatre and Dance, and all music performance programs, require separate auditions before admission to those specific degrees. Musical Theatre BFA auditions are held on specific dates in February and March (e.g., February 27?28 and March 6, 2026 for Fall 2026 admission) and require registration through Acceptd at least one week before the audition date. The Dance BFA audition requires a 1.5?2-minute solo, three combination videos (ballet, modern, jazz), a letter of recommendation from a dance instructor, and a video introduction. Students who apply to Kent State generally but do not register for BFA auditions on Acceptd will be admitted to the university but will not be considered for the BFA program - admission to the university and admission to the BFA degree are separate processes with separate timelines. Audition results arrive approximately two to three weeks after the audition date, with enrollment confirmation requested by May 15.
Fashion Students Should Engage the School's Industry Scholarship Network From Freshman Year, Not After Admission
Kent State's School of Fashion offers more than 60 scholarship opportunities specifically for design and merchandising students, spanning freshman through senior year, with awards tied to academic merit, financial need, program concentration, and geographic origin. Several competitions additionally connect students to national industry partners: as a member of the National Retail Federation, Kent State students are eligible to apply for NRF Foundation scholarships up to $25,000 with access to Retail's BIG Show and Digital Summit - opportunities restricted to NRF member university students only. The YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund provides a $5,000 award plus travel to the New York gala and a private internship fair. Students who arrive at Kent State with a Fashion major and do not engage the School's scholarship coordinator in their first year leave substantial industry-linked funding on the table. Additionally, the school's NYC Fashion Studio program allows undergraduate students to enroll at Kent State tuition rates while studying in Manhattan - making the NYC experience financially accessible compared to comparable programs at private fashion schools.
Expert Insight:
The most consistent financial-planning failure at Kent State involves students - particularly out-of-state students - who apply after December 1 and are surprised that Honors College scholarship consideration is closed. Because Kent State's acceptance rate is approximately 86% and general admissions are rolling, the process feels low-urgency to many applicants. The Honors College scholarship pathway, however, closes December 1 with no exceptions: students must be admitted by that date to receive an invitation to apply to Honors by January 15. Non-Ohio residents who miss December 1 and have a 4.0 GPA may have lost the most valuable scholarship bracket available to them. A secondary pattern specific to Fashion students: applying to the university in October, receiving an acceptance, and then missing the December 1?15 study-away application window in the first year because they did not know it existed - effectively delaying the study-away semester by an entire year and compressing the senior-year course sequence.
Kent State University at Kent Profile
Full Name
Kent State University at Kent
City
Kent
State
Ohio
ZIP Code
44242-0001
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Kent State University at Kent Degree Worth It?
Kent State University at Kent offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
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 Kent Cost?
The sticker price is $29,345/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $19,614.
27.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 49.9% take federal loans at Kent State University at Kent. File your FAFSA early and list Kent State University at Kent as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Kent State University at Kent Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $45,388. That's about 12% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Kent State University at Kent. 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 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Kent State University at Kent. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Kent State University at Kent. 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 Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Kent State University at Kent
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Kent State University at Kent Admissions
Median earnings for Kent State University at Kent graduates sit around $45,388 a year.
At about $29,345 a year, Kent State University at Kent is on the more affordable end.
About 27.4% receive a Pell Grant at Kent State University at Kent. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 86.7%, Kent State University at Kent's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Kent State University at Kent average a 3.61 GPA.
Kent State University at Kent doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.31 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.21, Kent State University at Kent becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Kent State University at Kent — aim above 1095, ideally within the 1000–1230 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Kent State University at Kent is November 1. Admission decisions are released by January 15. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
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.