At $12,168/yr net price, Kean University graduates earn $57,237/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,237/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,168 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $48,672 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,237/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,237/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,593/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,496/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,503/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,592/yr |
| $110,001+ | $21,514/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $116,679 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $105,083 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $82,238 | $18,009 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,635 | $37,593 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Master | $72,640 | $47,700 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $71,957 | $31,757 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $62,579 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $60,452 | $47,464 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $57,995 | |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $26,088 |
The Risk Factor
43.4% of students at Kean University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Kean University gives you a moderate financial return that hinges heavily on which major you pick. At $12,168 a year with a $23,250 median debt load, the school stays affordable, and the $57,237 median earnings ten years out clears that debt comfortably for most graduates. The weak spot is completion: only 43% of students finish, and a degree you don't earn can't pay off.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays $82,238 while carrying the lowest debt of any top program at $18,009, so nurses come out roughly $30,000 ahead of the school's typical graduate. If you can handle the coursework and Kean's northern New Jersey location puts hospital jobs within reach, this is the strongest bet on campus.
The other top programs are a different story. Mathematics, geosciences, special education, and computer science all land near or below the school median, mostly around $49,000 to $52,000, while stacking up $25,000 to $26,000 in debt. Special education pays the least of the five yet borrows more than nursing. Picking one of these means your return depends on keeping costs down and landing regional work quickly.
The income tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $7,000 or less a year, and Kean becomes a genuine bargain against those nursing wages. Above $110,000, the price jumps to $21,514, which changes the math and makes the non-nursing majors a tougher sell.
Kean fits you if you want an affordable degree, come from a lower-income household, and are aiming at nursing or a healthcare path. Look harder before enrolling if you're targeting one of the lower-paying majors at full price, or if you're unsure you'll finish given the completion odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kean University worth the cost for the education you get?
Kean University offers reasonable value with a net price of $12,168 and graduates earning $57,237 after 10 years. However, the 43% graduation rate means many students don't finish their degrees, which significantly hurts the return on investment.
What are the highest paying majors at Kean University?
Educational Administration graduates from Kean University earn around $116,679, while nursing programs lead to salaries between $82,238-$105,083. Business and rehabilitation programs pay around $72,640-$73,635, which is decent but not exceptional.
How much debt do Kean University graduates typically have?
Kean University graduates carry a median debt of $23,250, which is manageable given the average earnings of $57,237 ten years after graduation. The debt-to-income ratio works out to reasonable levels for most programs.
Should I attend Kean University if I get accepted?
Kean University makes sense if you're pursuing nursing, education administration, or can finish your degree reliably. With an 82% acceptance rate and 43% graduation rate, the main risk is not completing your program rather than the financial investment itself.