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Kean University

Union, NJ

publicgraduate

Quick Facts

10,842
Total Students
$13K
Tuition (In-State)
$21K
Tuition (Out-State)
$12K
Avg Net Price
77%
Acceptance Rate
43%
Graduation Rate
6-year
75%
Retention Rate
Doctoral/Professional Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Kean University

Kean University: A historic public research institution fostering diverse talent and global learning.

Kean University stands as a dynamic public research institution in New Jersey, deeply rooted in history yet firmly focused on the future. What began as a dedicated teacher-education college in 1855 has blossomed into a comprehensive university, recognized as a state-designated research hub and the fourth-largest institution of higher education in the state. With campuses spanning Union, Elizabeth, and Hillside, Kean offers a vibrant metropolitan experience, embracing a tradition of diversity that has evolved over 150 years to become one of the nation's most inclusive campuses.

The university's story is intertwined with American history, notably through its relocation in 1958 to the ancestral Livingston-Kean Estate, home to the historic Liberty Hall. This significant move transformed the institution from a state teachers college into Newark State College, a comprehensive provider of academic programs. Renamed Kean College of New Jersey in 1973 and achieving university status in 1997, Kean's evolution reflects a continuous commitment to expanding educational opportunities and contributing to a broader intellectual landscape, all while preserving the rich heritage of its historic grounds.

Today, Kean University boasts a wide array of over 50 undergraduate programs, more than 70 doctoral, master's, and certificate programs, and 23 online options, housed within its six specialized colleges and the Nathan Weiss Graduate College. Beyond traditional academics, Kean fosters innovation through research institutions like the New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics and the Kean University Human Rights Institute. Students benefit from a rich, diverse learning environment and a global perspective, enhanced by its unique stand-alone joint venture, Wenzhou–Kean University in China, preparing them for success in an interconnected world.

Key Highlights

  • ✦Founded in April 1855 as Newark Normal School, making it one of the nation's earliest teacher-education colleges.
  • ✦A state-designated public research university, deeply committed to advancing knowledge and innovation.
  • ✦Fourth-largest institution of higher education in New Jersey, serving 13,352 students (Fall 2023).
  • ✦Hosts significant research institutions, including the New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics.
  • ✦Home to the historic Liberty Hall, an ancestral estate and American history museum.
  • ✦Offers a global learning experience with a stand-alone joint venture, Wenzhou–Kean University in China.
  • ✦One of the nation's most diverse schools, with a student body reflecting its evolving commitment to inclusion since the 19th century.

Timeline

1760
Construction of Liberty Hall, a future key site for Kean University, begins.
1855
Founded as Newark Normal School in Newark, New Jersey.
1913
State takes control; renamed New Jersey State Normal School at Newark.
1934
Becomes a four-year college, authorized to grant Bachelor of Science in education degrees.
1937
Renamed New Jersey State Teachers College.
1958
Relocated to Union Township to the historic Livingston-Kean Estate; renamed Newark State College.
1973
Renamed Kean College of New Jersey.
1997
Achieves university status, becoming Kean University.
2025
Proposal to acquire New Jersey City University (NJCU) voted to move forward by NJCU Board of Trustees, potentially renaming it Kean Jersey City.

Schools & Colleges

7 notable schools within Kean University

💼

The College of Business and Public Management

📚

The College of Education

🎭

The College of Liberal Arts

🔬

The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology

🎨

Michael Graves College, Architecture and Design

🏫

The College of Health Professions and Human Services

🎓

Nathan Weiss Graduate College

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