Kent State University was formed in 1910 under Governor Judson Harmon's Lowry Bill as a teacher's college on land donated by railroad pioneer Marvin Kent. From its inaugural class of 34, Kent State saw record-breaking growth during the 1950s under President George Bowman to reach its current enrollment of 40,782 Golden Flashes. Endowed for $110.7 million, KSU belongs to the University System of Ohio as a public, co-educational RU/H institution with Carnegie's Community Engagement classification. Besides its 88-acre main campus in Portage County, Kent State University delivers courses from Ashtabula and Tuscarawas to New York City, Florence, and online. KSU's 11 colleges have produced 227,000 alums, including Drew Carey, Arsenio Hall, and Alice Ripley.
According to the U.S. News, Kent State is the 188th best national university, 101st best public school, and 196th top high school counselor pick. In fact, KSU has America's 72nd best online graduate education degrees and 161st best part-time MBA. On Forbes, Kent stands as the 213rd top research university and 170th best mid-size employer. Niche recognized KSU for the 161st best student life and 190th most liberal education nationally. PayScale included KSU as the 220th "Best Community College by Salary Potential." Washington Monthly crowned Kent the 213rd best institution for social mobility. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings even placed Kent State in the top 500 globally.
Kent State University Accreditation Details
Reaffirmed without sanctions in 2014, Kent State University has regional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). This means that KSU's 33 associate, 119 bachelor's, 109 master's, and 48 doctoral degrees will be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education until the 2024 review. Online programs also feature specialized approvals from the following:
- Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
- Accreditation Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
- American Library Association Office for Accreditation (ALA)
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Kent State University Application Requirements
Successfully passing the "selective" admission process with 85 percent of applicants to Kent State University shouldn't be a roll of the dice. Prepare by receiving a high school diploma or GED with a college-prep curriculum approved by the Ohio Department of Education. Finishing the four years of English, math, and science with a minimum "B-" average is preferred, but some programs like the Online BSN seek a 3.0 GPA. Most Kent Golden Flashes have scored at least 21 on the ACT and 1060 on the SAT. Undergrad transfers can also be accepted with 12+ non-remedial credits and a 2.0 GPA or better from accredited colleges.
Online graduate admission to Kent State always depends on students' completion of a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited U.S. institution with credit transfer. Post-grads from foreign colleges must score at least 77 on the MELAB, 6.0 on the IELTS, or 525 on the TOEFL. Online master's programs generally expect a minimum GPA of 3.0 to 3.3 in the last 60 hours, but other criteria varies. For instance, the M.Ed. in Evaluation and Measurement online attracts PK-12 certified teachers with 2+ years of experience. The Online Master of Arts in Reporting and Editing looks for GRE scores in the top 45th percentile or at least 300.
Interested undergrads can establish log-in accounts for the Online Application System to apply before the January 15th priority or March 1st final deadline. Graduate students will find admission to online programs is rolling until spaces are filled. Applicants should submit the following materials:
- Payment for the $45 application fee
- Transcript requests for each school attended
- Official college entrance examination scores
- Two signed letters of recommendation
- Two-paged, typed learning goals statement
- Resume or CV of professional responsibilities
- Portfolios, writing samples, or licenses as required
Tuition and Financial Aid
College Factual ranked Kent State as the 29th best college for the money in Ohio with traditional tuition ranging from $10,012 to $18,544 per year. Online programs are paid for based on credits taken though. Undergrads studying online are billed $456 per credit while master's students are charged $655-$695 each credit. Online courses come with an automatic $12 distance learning fee. Non-Ohio residents simply pay $10 extra per credit. For example, the 33-credit Online M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice would cost $22,704 in-state and $23,034 out-of-state total.
The NCES displays that 93 percent of beginning, full-time KSU students earn financial aid worth $7,132 on average. Institutional awards like the Edward O. Mullin Diversity Scholarship, Oscar Ritchie Memorial Scholarship, President's Grant, Trustee Scholarship, and Nursing Alumni KARE Scholarship could be available online. The FAFSA opens federal resources, including the Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, and Stafford Loan Program. Fellow Buckeyes studying online may receive the Ohio College Opportunity Grant or Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund. Kent State University also partners with FASTChoice for low-interest, private loans.
Online Degrees Available
Kent State Online uses the Blackboard Collaborate platform to provide eight undergraduate and 18 graduate degrees virtually. Non-degree-seeking students choose from 16 online certificates, such as Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and Autism Spectrum Disorder. There's a 21:1 student-faculty ratio to keep 53 percent of online courses with less than 20 students for close professor interaction. Learners also access a 24/7 Helpdesk, FlashLine account, remote proctored testing, and University Library databases. Two sample online KSU degrees are:
Bachelor of Science in Insurance Studies
Boasting a Gamma Iota Sigma Chapter, KSU's Bachelor of Science in Insurance Studies is an online, four-year degree preparing undergrads for claiming the 26,000 new jobs in Ohio's insurance industry by 2020 for an average salary of $64,000. The 120-credit curriculum offers three concentrations in Chartered Property Casualty Underwriting, Life and Health Insurance, or Property and Casualty Insurance. Online courses like professional selling techniques and cost accounting will help satisfy requirements for CLU, CIC, and CRM certifications.
Master of Science in User Experience Design
Accredited by the ABET, the M.S. in User Experience Design is one of the few information technology degrees focused on creating Web or mobile interfaces that suit people's information accessibility needs to drive online traffic. Taking under 22 months, the 36-credit curriculum integrates accelerated, seven-week courses for content marketing, Web architecture, knowledge organization systems, and virtual UXD practice. Kent State University also requires a capstone project for industry newbies to apply in-demand skills with wireframes, personas, storyboards, and more.