Kean’s Board of Trustees said that it approved in-state tuition rates for all students worldwide beginning Fall 2026, a move that the school says will increase access to a university education, improve its recruitment efforts, and bolster its status as an R2 research institution. (R2 universities are defined as institutions with at least 20 doctoral research degrees that also have at least $5 million in total research expenditures.)
The new tuition program, which was approved by the University’s Board of Trustees on Sept. 15, eliminates the university’s out-of-state tuition rates for new and current students in the 2026-2027 academic year.
“This decision reflects Kean’s role as a university on the rise,” said Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet. “We are extending our reach to students from across the country and around the globe, opening doors to transformative opportunities that will provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.”
The decision follows the university’s announcement earlier this year that it would expand in-state tuition rates to undergraduate students from the surrounding states of New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C.
The current annual tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students total $15,299.60. The current annual in-state tuition and fees for full-time graduate students taking nine credits per semester is $18,351.72. Rates are established by the board of trustees each year.
Michael Salvatore, executive vice president for academic and administrative operations, said broadening Kean’s reach is crucial to strengthening its position in higher education, particularly given its pending merger with New Jersey City University (NJCU).
“Kean’s outstanding academics, proximity to New York City and growing research programs make the University appealing to students outside of New Jersey,” Salvatore said. “This will enable us to tap into expanded markets while bringing students into the state. Other local institutions, including NJCU, have had success with this strategy, and we see it as a way to attract new students, while advancing Kean’s role as New Jersey’s urban research university.”
Kean has nearly 19,000 students enrolled worldwide for the Fall 2025 semester, the largest student body in the university’s history. The school said the new policy builds on that momentum and reflects Kean’s commitment to social mobility, equity, and public impact.
“This new tuition structure enhances our admissions strategy by connecting us with students who may not have previously considered Kean,” said La Toro Yates, vice president for enrollment services. “We are expanding access and opening pathways for more students to pursue their goals.”
