Getting in
For Fall 2025, 25,526 first-year students applied to Kent State, 16,015 were admitted and 4,026 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 62.7%.
Source: Kent State Common Data Set 2025-2026, Kent Campus (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 16,510 | 10,028 | 60.7% |
| Out-of-state | 5,903 | 3,421 | 58% |
| International | 3,113 | 2,566 | 82.4% |
Source: Kent State Common Data Set 2025-2026, Kent Campus (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. Kent State's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the Kent Campus, with no rate by college or major.
Source: Kent State Common Data Set 2025-2026, Kent Campus (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early plans. Kent State has no early decision or early action plan. Its November 1 priority deadline is an earlier filing date, not an early decision.
Source: Kent State Common Data Set 2025-2026, Kent Campus (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
After you are admitted to the Kent Campus, some majors ask for more:
- Aerospace, cybersecurity and mechatronics engineering. At least a 3.0 high school GPA and math placement into Calculus I or beyond. If you fall short, you may be admitted to the related engineering technology major and ask to change after your first year.
- Architecture, fashion design and fashion merchandising. At least a 3.0 high school GPA. If you fall short, Kent State reviews you holistically and may place you in a pre-major.
- Interior design and teacher education. At least a 2.75 high school GPA.
- Speech pathology and audiology. At least a 3.0 high school GPA.
- Nursing. High school math, biology and chemistry, plus either a 3.0 GPA, or a 2.7 GPA with an ACT composite of 22 or an SAT of 1100. Students not accepted into nursing may be accepted into public health.
- Music and musical theatre. An audition before admission to the School of Music or the B.F.A. in musical theatre.
Source: Kent State Admissions, First-Year Student Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
116 majors across 9 schools. Every bachelor's degree major Kent State's 2026-2027 University Catalog offers on the Kent Campus, grouped by the college that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Minors, certificates, associate and graduate programs are left out.
Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship13
- Accounting (B.B.A.)
- Advertising (B.S.)
- Business Analytics (B.B.A.)
- Business Management (B.B.A.)
- Computer Information Systems (B.B.A.)
- Economics (B.B.A.)
- Entrepreneurship (B.B.A.)
- Finance (B.B.A.)
- General Business (B.B.A.)
- Hospitality and Event Management (B.S.)
- Human Resource Management (B.B.A.)
- Marketing (B.B.A.)
- Sport Administration (B.S.)
Source: Kent State 2026-2027 University Catalog, Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Aeronautics and Engineering14
- Aeronautical Studies (B.S.)
- Aerospace Engineering (B.S.)
- Aerospace Engineering Technology (B.S.)
- Air Traffic and Airspace Management (B.S.)
- Aviation Management (B.S.)
- Computer Engineering Technology (B.S.)
- Cybersecurity Engineering (B.S.)
- Industrial Engineering Technology (B.S.)
- Industrial and Systems Engineering (B.S.)
- Mechanical Engineering Technology (B.S.)
- Mechatronics Engineering (B.S.)
- Mechatronics Engineering Technology (B.S.)
- Professional Pilot (B.S.)
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Operations (B.S.)
Source: Kent State 2026-2027 University Catalog, College of Aeronautics and Engineering (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Architecture and Environmental Design4
- Architectural Studies (B.A.)
- Architecture (B.S.)
- Construction Management (B.S.)
- Interior Design (B.A.)
Source: Kent State 2026-2027 University Catalog, College of Architecture and Environmental Design (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of the Arts13
- Animation Game Design (B.S.)
- Art Education (B.F.A.)
- Art History (B.A.)
- Fashion Design (B.A.)
- Fashion Design (B.F.A.)
- Fashion Merchandising (B.S.)
- Music (B.M.)
- Music Education (B.M.)
- Musical Theatre (B.F.A.)
- Studio Art (B.A.)
- Studio Art (B.F.A.)
- Theatre Design, Technology and Production (B.F.A.)
- Theatre Studies (B.A.)
Source: Kent State 2026-2027 University Catalog, College of the Arts (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Communication and Information9
- Applied Media (B.A.)
- Digital Media Production (B.S.)
- Emerging Media and Technology (B.S.)
- Journalism (B.S.)
- Photography (B.F.A.)
- Public Relations (B.S.)
- User Experience Design (B.S.)
- Visual Communication Design (B.A.)
- Visual Communication Design (B.F.A.)
Source: Kent State 2026-2027 University Catalog, College of Communication and Information (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Education and Human Services11
- American Sign Language/English Interpreting (B.S.)
- Early Childhood Education (B.S.E.)
- Human Development and Family Science (B.S.)
- Integrated Language Arts (B.S.E.)
- Integrated Mathematics (B.S.E.)
- Integrated Science (B.S.E.)
- Integrated Social Studies (B.S.E.)
- Middle Childhood Education (B.S.E.)
- Physical Education, Health and Sport Exploration (B.S.)
- Professional Studies (B.S.)
- Special Education (B.S.E.)
Source: Kent State 2026-2027 University Catalog, College of Education and Human Services (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Nursing2
- Nursing (B.S.N.)
- Nursing for Registered Nurses (B.S.N.)
Source: Kent State 2026-2027 University Catalog, College of Nursing (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Public Health and Health Sciences8
- Exercise Science (B.S.)
- Integrated Health Studies (B.S.)
- Long-Term Care Administration (B.S.)
- Nutrition (B.S.)
- Public Health (B.S.P.H.)
- Speech Pathology and Audiology (B.S.)
- Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology (B.S.)
- Sports Medicine (B.S.)
Source: Kent State 2026-2027 University Catalog, College of Public Health and Health Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Sciences and Humanities42
- Actuarial Mathematics (B.S.)
- American Sign Language (B.A.)
- Anthropology (B.A.)
- Anthropology (B.S.)
- Applied Mathematics (B.S.)
- Biochemistry (B.S.)
- Biology (B.A.)
- Biology (B.S.)
- Biotechnology (B.S.)
- Chemistry (B.S.)
- Communication Studies (B.A.)
- Computer Science (B.A.)
- Computer Science (B.S.)
- Criminology and Justice Studies (B.A.)
- Cybercriminology (B.S.)
- Economics (B.A.)
- English (B.A.)
- Environmental Studies (B.A.)
- Environmental and Conservation Biology (B.S.)
- Gender and Sexuality Studies (B.A.)
- Geography (B.A.)
- Geology (B.A.)
- Geology (B.S.)
- German (B.A.)
- History (B.A.)
- Integrative Studies (B.I.S.)
- International Studies (B.A.)
- Mathematics (B.S.)
- Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.)
- Neuroscience (B.S.)
- Paralegal Studies (B.A.)
- Peace and Conflict Studies (B.A.)
- Physics (B.S.)
- Political Science (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.S.)
- Russian Literature, Culture and Translation (B.A.)
- Sociology (B.A.)
- Spanish (B.A.)
- Teaching English as a Second Language (B.A.)
- Translation (B.S.)
- Zoology (B.S.)
Source: Kent State 2026-2027 University Catalog, College of Sciences and Humanities (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority deadline | November 1 | not published | No |
| Merit scholarship deadline | January 15 | not published | No |
The application opens August 1. After the priority deadline, your application and all materials must be in seven days before the semester starts. Kent State says admission decisions are released in October and does not publish a decision date for each deadline. National College Decision Day is May 1.
Source: Kent State Admissions, First-Year Student Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Kent State is test-optional: you do not have to send SAT or ACT scores. On the application you say whether you want scores considered, and that choice cannot be changed online. If you send scores, Kent State uses the highest ACT composite or SAT from a single test date; it does not superscore. You are eligible for merit awards with or without a score.
Source: Kent State Admissions, Test-Optional Policy (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted, with scores due by August 1.
Source: Kent State Common Data Set 2025-2026, Kent Campus (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked Kent State's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: Kent State Admissions, First-Year Student Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at Kent State, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $13,850 | $24,300 |
| Student health fee | $180 | $180 |
| Career services fee | $188 | $188 |
| Food and housing (on campus) | $14,380 | $14,380 |
| Books, course materials and supplies | $800 | $800 |
| Transportation | $2,620 | $2,620 |
| Personal expenses | $2,334 | $2,334 |
| Loan fees | $68 | $68 |
| Total | $34,420 | $44,870 |
For a full-time undergraduate on the Kent Campus living on campus, fall and spring, at the rates set for students who entered in fall 2026. Kent State sets new cohort rates each year, so fall 2027 rates may differ.
Source: Kent State Financial Aid, Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $15,280 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $15,718 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $17,296 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $23,685 |
| Over $110,000 | $26,278 |
| All incomes | $20,787 |
What first-year, full-time, in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from Kent State's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Kent State University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Miami UniversityOxford, OH · Public75.4% admitted$28,384 average net price
Northern Illinois UniversityDeKalb, IL · Public69.8% admitted$13,391 average net price
University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL · Public75.8% admitted$10,974 average net price
The Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OH · Public49.2% admitted$17,339 average net price
Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green, OH · Public81.3% admitted$24,022 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.