Kent State University in Ohio is a community of bright minds from all corners of the globe. Around 5 percent of the student body is made up of international students. They come from countries like China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, India, Nigeria, and South Korea.
The university dates back to 1910 when it was a teacher training school. Ever since, it has driven economic and cultural change. Today it’s known for its world-leading faculty, facilities, and research. Students and academics push boundaries and uncover new ways of thinking.
Table of Contents
Overview
About this university
There are 11 colleges, each providing stimulating courses for all types of students. Programs cover the arts, sciences, education, business, health, and more.
Location
The city of Kent offers plenty of fun activities, which together make for a great American university experience. This includes live music, comedy, festivals, and college sports games.
Kent is based in the state of Ohio. It’s near Cleveland and other exciting major cities. There is so much for students to enjoy in their spare time, such as concerts, museums, parks, zoos, and sports events. The area is close to natural beauty, where students can get involved in activities like fishing, hiking, sailing, or biking, and students at Kent will enjoy warm summers and snowy winters.
University ranking
| QS World University Rankings | Times Higher Education World University Rankings |
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| 1001 | 1001 | 1001 | 801 | 801 |
What’s new
Awards and achievements
Kent State University is the only US university to have achieved a Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization in 2022. This award from NAFSA demonstrates how the university integrates international education into all parts of campus life.
In the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings for 2023, six of Kent State’s programs feature within the top 100. This includes nursing programs, mathematics programs, and public health programs. The physics school, psychology school, and education school are also recognized.
Other achievements include:
- Top 23 online MBA (The Princeton Review)
- Top 50 theatre bachelor’s degrees (Study.com)
- Top 50 online master’s nursing degrees at public institutions (U.S. News & World Report)
Kent State also holds a prestigious R1 Carnegie Classification.
Finances
How much will it cost?
| Average tuition fees per year | Living costs |
| US$20,799 | US$21,952 | US$12,676 | US$9,804 |
| Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Living costs | To live on campus |
Scholarships & funding
Kent State wants all students to have access to education, no matter their financial background. It offers an affordable American university experience that’s an investment for a future career. The university provides a lot of financial assistance to all kinds of students:
- 85 percent of undergraduate students studying full time get financial support
- Over USD 66 million was offered in scholarships to new first-year students in 2020/21
- More than USD 420 million was awarded in scholarships and financial aid to students in 2019/20
International student scholarships
There are various scholarships available for eligible international students. Up to USD 32,000 is on offer for a four-year degree. Awards include:
- Global Scholarship – USD 4,000 per year for all eligible international undergraduate students
- Polatajko Family Scholarship – USD 1,000 is available for students from Ukraine, Hungary, or Poland.
Eligibility
Entry requirements
All new first-year applicants must have completed secondary education in their home country before enrolling in the university.
They will need at least a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Specific majors may have other entry requirements.
Undergraduate English language requirements
Students will need one of the following test scores or an accepted equivalent:
- TOEFL iBT – 71
- Revised PBT – 18
- IELTS Academic and indicator – 6.0
- Duolingo – 100
- PTE Academic – 48
- Kent State University ESL Center Level 8 Intensive English program – 3.75 out of 4.0 GPA
- ELS Level 112 Intensive English Program completion
- SAT – 510 evidence-based reading and writing
- ACT – 21 in English
Those who cannot meet the minimum requirements may be accepted with conditional admission, but will need to take English classes at the ESL Center before starting their academic programs.
Department and Faculty
Teaching quality
More than 300 degree options are available from Kent State University’s undergraduate and graduate schools. These are taught by expert faculty who go further than simply providing information. Instead, they inspire students and encourage them to think and do independently and creatively.
Faculty highlights include:
- Over 2,700 faculty members coming from 6 continents
- 70 percent have the highest degrees in their subjects
- More than 166 are active as US research patents
- 16+ are Pulitzer Prize winners
- Over 61 percent of full-time staff are tenure-track faculty
The university invests a lot in research, with USD 30 million committed to extramural research funding over the last five years. Faculty and Fulbright scholars actively include students in research projects and support them with their own research efforts.
Department structure
The university is home to 11 colleges, offering more than 360 undergraduate study options. Over 130 programs have specialized accreditation.
Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Named as a top-tier Best Undergraduate Business Program by U.S. News & World Report.
College of Aeronautics and Engineering
One of the best flight schools and aviation programs in the US.
College of Applied and Technical Studies
Offering programs such as information technology, animation game design, and agribusiness.
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Includes dual degrees such as the Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration.
College of the Arts
A highly ranked college for performing, visual, and design arts.
College of Arts and Sciences
Focused on ethics and creativity, the college includes departments in fields such as Africana Studies, Biological Sciences, Computer Science, English, and Geology.
College of Communication and Information
With the only accredited Master of Library and Information program available in Ohio.
College of Education, Health, and Human Services
Schools include Health Sciences; Lifespan Development & Education Sciences; and Teaching, Learning & Curriculum Studies.
College of Nursing
With one of the most comprehensive programs for nursing in the US.
College of Podiatric Medicine
One of the nation’s largest specialist podiatry education institutions.
College of Public Health
The first of its kind in Ohio to offer a bachelor’s degree, where students learn to promote healthy living and prevent injury and disease.
Campus and facilities
Facilities
The 950-acre campus is easy to get around but there’s plenty of space for many different facilities. Free WiFi is available throughout.
Student Recreation and Wellness Center
Facilities include a swimming pool, saunas, exercise equipment, rock climbing walls, indoor soccer, and canoes and kayaks for river trips.
Organizations and clubs
Over 300 student organizations offer a community for everyone and their interests. This includes sororities, fraternities, leadership training, professional sports events, and many more campus activities.
On-campus dining
Students can enjoy different dining options, suiting all tastes and dietary requirements. There are 18 on-campus options.
Transport
The free bus service, pedestrian paths, and cycle lanes make it easy to get around campus. Students can borrow bikes or even hire cars.
