Here’s the catch with Kean University when it comes to its placement on national lists, such as the prestigious U.S. News & World Report rankings, which came out Tuesday.
The biggest step for Kean was simply joining the rankings of national universities — a stature that in and itself shows the university’s commitment to broadening its reach (Kean was first classified as a national university in 2022–2023, prior to that it was listed as a regional university).
And while the university continues to rise on the national rankings (it was ranked just outside of the Top 300 this year), that ranking doesn’t reflect the school’s greatest mission: To increase access.
Kean was once again ranked among the top 100 national universities for advancing the social mobility of its students.
This marks the seventh consecutive year Kean has earned this prestigious recognition for its commitment to helping students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds succeed and graduate.
Kean President Lamont Repollet obviously was thrilled.
“Kean is deeply committed to serving as a driver for social mobility, empowering students from all backgrounds to achieve their educational and career goals,” he said.
“This recognition affirms our mission as New Jersey’s urban research university to advance equity, provide access and deliver the support students need to thrive. We will continue delivering opportunity and meaningful public impact for our students and the communities we proudly serve.”
Kean ranked 81 among national universities for social mobility in the 2026 Best Colleges rankings released on Tuesday. The ranking is calculated by assessing the graduation rates of students who qualify for Pell Grants compared to the overall student population.
Kean’s overall ranking in Best Colleges has increased since the University was first classified as a national university.
As New Jersey’s most affordable public university, Kean officials say they will continue to broaden access by keeping costs down and opportunities high. Beginning in Fall 2026, the University will apply in-state tuition rates to all undergraduate and graduate students worldwide.
Kean also reached a historic milestone this Fall, enrolling nearly 19,000 students worldwide, the largest student body in its history. The University received more than 20,000 applications this year, a testament to its rising profile and reputation as a newly designated R2 research institution.
More from BINJE:
- Kean University approves in-state tuition for all students
- Ever-growing Kean approaching 19,000 in total enrollment
