Kean vs. RU

Comparable Facts

Compare Kean University in Union, NJ with Radford University in Radford, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kean University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kean University is located in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kean University 17:1; Radford University 14:1.

Kean vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kean or RU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Kean University than RU ($12,708 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 31.5% lower than at Kean University ($12,504 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 14% more expensive for in-state tuition than RU (about $1,751 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $12,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.2% higher at RU than at Kean University (about $3,187 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $22,446.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Kean University (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 26.8% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($15,048 vs. $11,870).

Kean vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kean or RU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RU and Kean.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Radford University (1050) is 10 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kean University 930/1150; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRadford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kean - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Kean (3.2).
• RU has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.7% at Kean vs. 14.4% at RU.

Kean vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kean and RU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Kean University's (49%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Kean graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Radford University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, RU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.