More selective than 18% of Ohio colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
18% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 51% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Kent State University at Kent over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Kent State University at Kent weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Kent State University at Kent reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- High school GPA
- Rigor of high school courses
- SAT/ACT scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Class rank
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college. Note: Keyed from page images of the Word file (converted to PDF to show the check boxes).
High school GPA of Kent State University at Kent first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.64. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
98% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college. Note: Keyed from page images of the Word file (converted to PDF to show the check boxes).
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college. Note: Keyed from page images of the Word file (converted to PDF to show the check boxes).
Kent State University at Kent SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Kent State University at Kent is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 510 | 630 |
| SAT math | 500 | 610 |
| ACT composite | 18 | 25 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1010 | 1240 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Kent State University at Kent admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 86% | 510–630 | 500–610 | 18–25 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 87% | 500–620 | 500–610 | 18–25 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Kent State University at Kent compared with other Ohio colleges?
Kent State University at Kent has the 51st-lowest acceptance rate of 62 Ohio colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | Otterbein University | 85% | 68% | $19,237 |
| 48 | Ohio University | 85% | 65% | $21,637 |
| 49 | University of Cincinnati | 85% | 75% | $25,648 |
| 50 | Heidelberg University | 86% | 52% | $20,556 |
| 51 | Kent State University at Kent | 86% | 64% | $20,787 |
| 52 | Xavier University | 86% | 69% | $32,997 |
| 53 | Antioch College | 89% | 41% | $14,834 |
| 54 | Cleveland State University | 91% | 51% | $14,764 |
| 55 | University of Toledo | 92% | 57% | $17,249 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Ohio colleges →
Who enrolls at Kent State University at Kent
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Kent State University at Kent admissions questions
What is the Kent State University at Kent acceptance rate?
Kent State University at Kent accepts 86% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 19,379 of 22,365 applicants were admitted.
Does Kent State University at Kent require the SAT or ACT?
Kent State University at Kent considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 18% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 51% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Kent State University at Kent?
The middle 50% of Kent State University at Kent enrolled first-year students scored 1010–1240 on the SAT and 18–25 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Kent State University at Kent?
22% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (4,278 of 19,379).
What does Kent State University at Kent look for in applicants?
Kent State University at Kent reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA. Important: rigor of high school courses. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, essay, recommendations, interview, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Kent State University at Kent have early decision?
No. Kent State University at Kent does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is Kent State University at Kent getting harder to get into?
Kent State University at Kent accepted 86% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 87% for Fall 2023.
Is Kent State University at Kent the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Kent State University at Kent's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Kent State University at Kent overview