Seeking to expand access and opportunity for students across the region, Kean University’s board of trustees approved a plan to give in-state tuition rates to students from five Mid-Atlantic states plus Washington, D.C.
The new tuition program, approved Monday, will take effect for the 2025-2026 academic year — and both new and current students from the designated states and Washington, D.C., will be eligible for the in-state tuition rate.
For full-time undergraduate students, annual tuition and fees will total $15,299.60, reinforcing Kean’s standing as New Jersey’s most affordable university.
The initiative underscores Kean’s mission to provide affordable, high-quality education and strengthens its regional recruitment efforts as an R2 research university with four consecutive years of record enrollment and more than 18,500 students worldwide.
And while the idea is relatively new to New Jersey-based schools, such reciprocal agreements are more common elsewhere.
Kean President Lamont Repollet said the move will help everyone involved.
“This initiative is a natural next step in our strategy to expand access to Kean’s world-class, inclusive education and to draw talented students from across the region,” he said. “It reflects our growth as a major research university and our continued commitment to equity, opportunity and academic excellence.”
Board Chair Steve Fastook agreed.
“The board is proud to support this important effort as Kean continues to grow and thrive,” he said. “Offering in-state tuition to students from neighboring states helps fulfill our promise of affordable education and strengthens our position as a destination for students across the region.”
Michael Salvatore, Kean University’s executive vice president for academic and administrative operations, said affordability is central to Kean’s mission of access and opportunity.
“By extending in-state tuition rates to students in nearby states, we are breaking down financial barriers and opening doors for more students to benefit from Kean’s innovative programs and supportive campus community,” he said.
Kean is a national institution of higher education recognized for its diversity, innovation and the social mobility of its graduates. Designated an R2 research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, Kean ranks among the top eight percent of U.S. universities for research and doctorate production.
Founded in 1855 as a teachers college, Kean has evolved into a thriving research university that supports students as they persist to graduation, give back to their communities and launch successful careers.
Kean’s six colleges offer more than 50 undergraduate programs, six doctoral degree programs and more than 70 options leading to master’s degrees, professional diplomas or certifications, across a full range of academic subjects.
With campuses in Union, Toms River and Manahawkin, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, as well as Kean Online, the University provides students of all backgrounds an affordable and accessible world-class education.
The regional recruitment initiative reflects Kean’s continued dedication to social mobility, equity and public impact. By reaching more students across the region, Kean is building a broader, more inclusive academic community where students can pursue their goals and feel empowered to thrive and lead in an evolving world.
