Kean University: Admissions 2026, Scholarships, Fees 2026, Rankings & Courses

Popular Courses and Fees at Kean University 2027

Kean University applies the same tuition rates to all students from Fall 2026, including Indian applicants on F-1 visas. Standard master’s programmes charge USD 1,090.92 per credit. A 30-credit MS or 36-credit MBA totals USD 32,728 to 39,273 (INR 31.34 to 37.60 lakh).

Health-sciences and clinical programmes use flat per-semester rates published in the 2026-27 fee schedule. Undergraduate tuition is USD 16,370 per year (INR 15.67 lakh) for full-time students. Bachelor’s degrees run four years across 120 credits, while master’s programmes span 18 to 24 months on-campus.

The top 10 postgraduate programmes below reflect fee bands Indian applicants encounter most often at Kean.

The five undergraduate programmes below use the standard USD 16,370 annual rate across four years for 120 credits.

Insider note: Indian graduate applicants most often pick MS Computer Science, MS Computer Information Systems, MS Biotechnology and the MBA Global Management track, since all three are STEM-designated or business-aligned and open up 36-month OPT extensions in the New York-Newark job corridor.

Read More: Kean University Programs and Fees Guide

Kean University Admission 2027

Kean University runs a rolling admissions cycle across Fall and Spring intakes, with the Fall (August) intake serving as the primary window for Indian applicants seeking on-campus master’s placements.

Credential evaluation through a NACES-affiliated agency such as WES should begin at least 8 to 10 weeks before the target deadline. The application fee is USD 75 (INR 7,181), payable online through Kean’s application portal.

Planning note: Book the SEVIS I-901 fee payment and visa slot within 15 days of receiving the I-20 to avoid the November to December OFC rush that consistently delays Indian applicants for the Fall intake.

Read More: Kean University Admissions Guide for Indian Students

Kean University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

Kean University admissions for Indian applicants rest on three pillars: academic transcripts, an English proficiency test, and NACES-verified credential evaluation.

Postgraduate applicants:

• Academic: Bachelor’s degree with 55-60% or CGPA 5.5-6.0 on a 10-scale (recommended); need-based aid consideration requires GPA 3.0 equivalent to 60% or CGPA 6.0/10
• English test minimums: TOEFL iBT 79 (or paper-based 550) with a minimum total score of 4 for tests after January 21, 2026; IELTS 6.0; Duolingo English Test 105
• Credential verification: Official transcripts evaluated course-by-course by a NACES-affiliated agency such as WES, ECE or SpanTran
• Standout requirement: GRE or GMAT waivers apply for several programmes; verify at the specific programme page

Undergraduate applicants:

• Academic: Class 12 completion with 60% or higher (recommended) and a course-by-course evaluation of the transcript by a NACES agency
• English test minimums: TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 105, with scores from tests taken within two years and sent directly by the testing agency
• Test-optional policy: SAT and ACT are optional; Indian applicants can apply with a strong Class 12 record alone

Key insight: The IELTS 6.0 minimum at Kean is one of the most accessible thresholds among U.S. National Universities. Applicants who studied at English-medium Indian universities can request an English proficiency waiver by submitting the medium of instruction certificate directly to Graduate Admissions.

Kean University Acceptance Rate 2027

Kean University reports an acceptance rate of 75.9% (estimated), sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The figure aligns with the moderately selective 70-79% band reflected in U.S. News admissions data for the 2026 cycle.

The rate is holistic across all undergraduate applicants; selective majors like Nursing, Speech Pathology and Physician Assistant Studies operate cohort limits that push effective acceptance rates far lower. Graduate admission is programme-specific and does not publish a single rate.

Reality check: A 75.9% rate makes Kean an accessible option for Indian Class 12 applicants scoring 65 to 75%. Do not read it as guaranteed entry into Nursing, MS Physician Assistant Studies or Speech-Language Pathology, where cohort caps and prerequisite coursework tighten selection significantly.

Read More: Kean University Acceptance Rate

Kean University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027

Total annual cost for Indian students at Kean University sits between USD 32,000 and 42,000 (INR 30.64 to 40.22 lakh) covering tuition and living, one of the lowest among National Universities in the New Jersey and New York corridor.

Kean University Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027

From Fall 2026, Kean applies its in-state rate to all international students. The bachelor’s programme costs USD 16,370 (INR 15.67 lakh) per year, and the standard master’s rate is USD 1,090.92 (INR 1.04 lakh) per credit.

Monthly Cost of Living in Union NJ for Indian Students

The 240-acre main campus in Union is a 45-minute NJ Transit train ride from Manhattan, so housing costs sit below New York City but above rural New Jersey.

[Source: Kean University tuition schedule and estimated market rates for Union NJ housing, 2026]

Insider note: Off-campus shared apartments in Union, Elizabeth and Roselle Park rent for USD 700 to 1,100 per month per person, and the NJ Transit student discount cuts monthly commuting costs by 25%. Indian students who share two-bedroom units typically bring total living costs closer to USD 1,300 per month.

Read More: Study in USA Guide for Indian Students

Kean University Campus, Facilities and Student Life

Kean University’s main campus sits on 240 acres at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey, 20 miles west of Manhattan and 15 minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport.

• Location and transport: The Union campus connects to New York Penn Station via NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line in 45 minutes, easing weekend job or internship access
• Housing: On-campus residence halls host around 2,000 students; housing is not guaranteed for international graduate students, and most secure off-campus rentals in Union and Elizabeth
• Notable facilities: The Nancy Thompson Library Learning Commons and the New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics support STEM research
• Indian student community: Kean supports an Indian Students Association and a South Asian cultural network that hosts Diwali and Holi observances

What Indian students say: Indian graduate students often highlight Kean’s small class sizes and direct faculty access as a genuine advantage over larger state universities. The rail link to Manhattan is repeatedly flagged as the deciding factor for CS and finance internships.

Kean University Scholarships 2027

Kean University confirms two funding channels open to international students: merit scholarships for incoming undergraduates and a limited pool of graduate assistantships. Foundation scholarships remain closed to international applicants.

[Source: Kean University International Financial Aid Resources and Office of Scholarship Services, 2026]

Planning note: Assistantships at Kean University are limited in count and awarded to applicants who submit all materials before the programme priority deadline. Indian applicants aiming for tuition remission should target the April 1 MS Computer Science deadline and email the programme coordinator with a research alignment note.

Read More: Kean University Scholarships Guide

Kean University Rankings 2027

Kean University’s strongest ranking is #318 in the U.S. News Best National Universities 2026, along with #81 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, reflecting steady progress from prior editions.

[Source: U.S. News & World Report, Collegedunia Study Abroad]

As per U.S. News subject rankings, Kean University’s Education programme is ranked #183 globally and #45 in the USA, Public Policy #179 globally and #23 in the USA, and Social Work #264 globally and #24 in the USA, giving Indian applicants targeted strength in social sciences.

Key insight: A U.S. News National Universities rank of #318 keeps Kean University eligible for Indian education loan lender panels at HDFC Credila, ICICI Bank and Avanse. Indian employers recognise U.S. graduate degrees regardless of numerical ranking, so this tier does not restrict Kean graduates in tech, banking or consulting hiring in India.

Read More: Kean University Rankings Analysis

Kean University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027

Kean University reports strong long-run outcomes across health, business and technology graduates, supported by its 95,000-strong alumni network in the New York-Newark metro area.

• Median alumni salary: USD 39,976 (INR 38.28 lakh) as market median
• Top-earning majors: Registered Nursing USD 78,900 (INR 75.55 lakh) starting; Special Education USD 48,800 (INR 46.73 lakh); Mathematics USD 46,600 (INR 44.62 lakh)
• Post-study work: F-1 graduates access 12 months of standard OPT; STEM-designated MS programmes qualify for 24-month OPT extension totalling 36 months
• Representative sectors: Health services, financial services, technology, education and public administration across the New York-Newark corridor
• Career support: Kean Career Services runs on-campus recruiter interviews via career@kean.edu, resume clinics and LinkedIn workshops open to international students

Insider note: Indian STEM graduates from Kean University most commonly move into mid-market employers across New Jersey and New York rather than FAANG-tier firms. Nursing, Speech Pathology and Accounting graduates report the strongest H-1B sponsorship pathways.

Kean University vs Peer Universities

Peer set below draws from New Jersey and mid-Atlantic public universities Indian applicants commonly weigh against Kean, benchmarked on QS 2027 world rank, annual PG fee and academic differentiator.

Kean University stands out on affordability after the Fall 2026 in-state tuition extension, cutting master’s cost by 25 to 40% versus most New Jersey peers. Its social sciences ranks (Public Policy #179 global, Social Work #264 global per U.S. News) match or exceed several peers without QS presence.

Is Kean University Right for Indian Students?

Kean University fits Indian applicants seeking a moderately selective U.S. public university with the lowest published master’s cost in New Jersey; total two-year MS investment of USD 47,488 (INR 45.47 lakh) against a median alumni salary of USD 39,976 (INR 38.28 lakh) produces payback within three post-OPT years. The New York-Newark rail link and 36-month STEM OPT window strengthen the return further for MBA universities in USA shoppers looking beyond top-100 fees.

Kean University is not the right fit for Indian applicants targeting FAANG-tier tech placements or QS top-200 brand signalling. Applicants with those goals should benchmark against New Jersey Institute of Technology or Stony Brook University before finalising.