Kean Named a ‘National University’ by U.S. News & World Report, Ranked in Top 50 for Social Mobility

Kean University has been elevated to “national university” status in the U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings, reflecting the University’s continued ascent in research and scholarship. 

Kean ranked 46th out of 439 national universities in increasing social mobility for students, a measure recognizing Kean’s success in supporting economically disadvantaged students throughout their path to graduation. This is the fourth year in a row that Kean has been recognized for social mobility, the first three years as a regional university.

The University is also named one of the most economically and ethnically diverse national universities in the United States, and is included on the list of top public schools among national universities.

“We are gratified by the strong showing Kean University makes in this year’s U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, including rising from regional university to national university. More importantly, we are proud of the incredible work behind those numbers, including our stronger focus on research, growing doctoral programs, and of course our continued commitment to diversity and inclusion as we support all students,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. 

National universities offer a range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research or award professional practice doctorates, according to U.S. News. Kean moved from “regional” to “national” because of the University’s new status as a Professional/Doctoral University granted earlier this year by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. Other New Jersey universities in the national ranking include Princeton University, Stevens Institute of Technology and New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Separately, Kean has also been named the first Urban Research University in the state of New Jersey.

“Kean University continues its powerful ascent in both research and teaching – and next, we seek to raise our profile even further by achieving designation as an R2 Research Institution by the Carnegie Commission,” Repollet said. “I have long said that Kean Cougars climb higher – and our latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges show that others recognize that, too.”

In other milestones this year, Kean also welcomed its largest freshman class ever.

The U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings evaluate more than 1,450 colleges and universities on up to 17 measures of academic quality. U.S. News publishes the rankings each year to give prospective students and their families helpful data on factors such as social mobility, graduation rates and graduate indebtedness.

With more than 16,000 students attending three New Jersey campuses, one international campus, Wenzhou-Kean University in Wenzhou, China, and Kean Online, Kean has long worked to give all students the tools they need to earn their degree and achieve their goals.

Kean is dedicated to supporting students who are the first in their family to go to college, those with diverse backgrounds, and those from underserved communities. The University offers numerous scholarship opportunities, as well as academic assistance, social service and other support programs. 

The University offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and more than 70 options for graduate study.

Kean Board of Trustees Chair Steve Fastook ’06H said he is proud of the University’s accomplishments and expects more to come.

“At Kean, we are dedicated to supporting our students by providing them opportunities and services that help them achieve their educational goals,” Fastook said. “I congratulate all at Kean who have worked so hard to set Kean to move forward on our path. I look forward to seeing how high we Cougars can climb.”