Overview
Kent State University was founded in 1910 as a teacher training school and has since grown into a major public research university serving northeast Ohio and beyond. It gained national and historical significance as the site of the May 4, 1970 shootings during a Vietnam War protest, an event that remains central to its identity and is commemorated through a permanent memorial and the May 4 Visitors Center. The university is recognized for strong programs in journalism and mass communication, fashion design and merchandising, and nursing, and it holds Carnegie R1/R2-level research classifications reflecting its growing research output.
At a Glance
| Type | Public Research |
| Location | Kent, Ohio |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Total students | 31,000 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 17:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 89% |
| Graduation rate | 58% |
| Average starting salary | $48,000 |
Tuition & Costs (estimates)
| In-state tuition | $11,900 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,000 |
| Room & board | $12,500 |
| Average financial aid | $11,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 90% |
Admissions
| SAT range | 990-1200 |
| ACT range | 19-25 |
| Average GPA | 3.4 |
| Regular deadline | Rolling |
Top Programs
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Fashion Design and Merchandising
- Nursing
- Architecture
- Psychology
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.