Kean University Recognized for Social Mobility by 'U.S. News & World Report' for Sixth Consecutive Year

Kean University has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 Best Colleges edition for being one of the top national universities in advancing the social mobility of its students.

This marks the sixth consecutive year Kean has earned this prestigious recognition for its commitment to helping students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds succeed and graduate.

"Kean is committed to empowering students from underserved communities," said Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., president of Kean University. "Our mission is to ensure that every student has the academic and personal support they need to realize their full potential and graduate on time. As an anchor institution, Kean is focused on lifting up our students and the communities we serve.”

Kean ranked 61 among national universities for social mobility, which is calculated by assessing the graduation rates of students who qualify for Pell Grants compared to the overall student population over the past six years.

The University's graduation rates have steadily increased, with the cohort of students who started at Kean in 2020 graduating this year with the highest four-year graduation rate in the past decade.

As New Jersey’s most affordable university, Kean is committed to supporting students financially. Last year, the University increased the amount of Kean University Foundation scholarships awarded to students by about 22%, helping more students overcome financial barriers and achieve their educational goals.

Kean has also made significant strides in enrollment, currently serving a record 18,500-plus students across the globe. The University’s continued focus on supporting students from economically distressed backgrounds has helped drive this growth.

“Kean’s strength is rooted in serving students from underserved communities, not only by opening doors to higher education but by helping them on their journey to graduation,” said Steve Fastook ’06H, chair of the Kean University Board of Trustees. “It’s a responsibility we embrace wholeheartedly because their success defines the mission of this institution.”

Using a wide range of data sources, U.S. News’ analysts and editors calculated more than 80 Best Colleges rankings, all with the intent of enabling students and their families to identify colleges that best meet their needs.