Kean University
Kean University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Kean University at a Glance
Kean University is a public university in Union, Elizabeth, Hillside, Jefferson, and Jersey City, New Jersey. It is part of New Jersey's public system of higher education and is a state-designated research university.
1855
171 years old
$79M
$78.7 million (2020)
13,905
11,758 undergrad · 2,147 grad
376
5 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Kean University
Official admissions page$75
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is Kean University Worth It?
Kean University offers moderate value at $12,447/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,237, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Kean University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #21 of 68 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Cypress College | 86 | $4,606 | $43,533 |
| #4 | Purdue University Northwest | 86 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| #5 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #6 | Northern Kentucky University | 77 | $8,191 | $50,220 |
| #21 | Kean University | 52 | $12,447 | $57,237 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Kean University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Kean University
The highest-earning program at Kean University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $78,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $18,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Kean University earns $78,900, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $18,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $17,750 in median debt vs. $21,500 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,447/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $78,900 | $78,900 | $17,750 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $48,800 | $48,800 | $26,590 |
| Mathematics | $48,600 | $48,600 | $25,241 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $45,200 | $45,200 | $30,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $43,800 | $43,800 | $22,198 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $42,900 | $42,900 | $30,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,700 | $40,700 | $27,078 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $38,700 | $38,700 | $24,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $38,000 | $38,000 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,800 | $37,800 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,000 | $37,000 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $36,200 | $36,200 | $26,375 |
| Marketing | $35,900 | $35,900 | $19,712 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $34,400 | $34,400 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $33,700 | $33,700 | $31,250 |
| Public Administration | $33,200 | $33,200 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,500 | $32,500 | $23,400 |
| Biology, General | $32,300 | $32,300 | $24,750 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $31,400 | $31,400 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,500 | $30,500 | $25,000 |
| History | $30,500 | $30,500 | $26,496 |
| Sociology | $29,700 | $29,700 | $25,000 |
| Psychology, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $23,700 | $23,700 | $26,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,900 | $22,900 | $26,403 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,300 | $18,300 | $21,500 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Union, NJ
- Student Body
- 11,433 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,447
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,237
- Median Student Debt
- $23,250