Keene State University: Student Population And Campus Life

Keene State College is a public liberal arts college in Keene, New Hampshire. Founded in 1909, it had 3,104 students enrolled for credit as of fall 2021. The undergraduate enrollment as of fall 2023 is 2,735. The college offers more than 40 areas of undergraduate study in the liberal arts, social sciences, sciences, and professional programs, as well as selected graduate degrees.

Undergraduate enrollment at Keene State College

The undergraduate enrollment at Keene State College comprises the majority of its student body, as the college offers a wide range of undergraduate programs. The college provides over 40 areas of undergraduate study, spanning various disciplines such as liberal arts, social sciences, sciences, and professional programs. Some of the largest and most popular undergraduate programs at Keene State College include Education, Business Management/Administration, Psychology, Safety & Occupational Health Applied Sciences, and Criminal Justice Studies.

In addition to its undergraduate programs, Keene State College also offers selected graduate degrees. These include fully online programs such as the Master of Science in Safety & Occupational Health Applied Sciences and the Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition. However, the primary focus of the college remains on undergraduate education, with a significant proportion of its students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs.

The undergraduate enrollment at Keene State College is diverse, with students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. As of 2022, the enrolled undergraduate student population comprised 82.2% White, 5.12% Hispanic or Latino, 3.52% Two or More Races, 1.74% Black or African American, 1.22% Asian, 0.313% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.104% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

The college attracts students from within New Hampshire as well as from other states, with out-of-state tuition and fees being significantly higher than in-state tuition and fees. Keene State College also offers financial aid to its undergraduate students, with a substantial percentage of full-time undergraduates receiving need-based financial assistance. This support helps make higher education more accessible to students from a range of economic backgrounds.

The college's ranking

Keene State College, a public liberal arts college in Keene, New Hampshire, has been ranked by various publications and organisations. The college was founded in 1909 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,735 as of fall 2023. Here is an overview of the college's rankings:

US News & World Report Rankings:

• #9 in Best Schools
• #5 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
• #7 in Top Public Schools
• #4 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #10 in Best Value Schools in its region

Princeton Review Rankings:

• Named one of the Best Regional Colleges in the Northeast in "2022 Best Colleges: Region by Region"
• Listed as one of the Best Northeastern Colleges in the 2006 edition

Niche Rankings:

• Rated B minus overall, with a score of 3.52 out of 5 from 940 reviews
• Included in lists for Best Greek Life Colleges in America, Top Party Schools in America, and Best College Locations in America

US News Best Colleges Rankings:

• #15 in Regional Colleges North (tied)
• #11 in Top Public Schools (tied)
• #9 in Best Value Schools
• #9 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #49 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tied)

Tuition fees and financial aid

Keene State College is a public liberal arts college in Keene, New Hampshire. The college offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,735 students as of Fall 2023.

The tuition fees at Keene State College vary depending on whether a student is an in-state or out-of-state resident. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the tuition and fees for in-state students are $14,784, while the tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $26,840. These figures represent the sticker price and include mandatory fees.

The total cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses, is estimated to be $31,786 for in-state students and $43,262 for out-of-state students.

Keene State College offers financial aid to its students, with more than 90% of students receiving some form of financial assistance. The college provides need-based and merit-based aid, including scholarships, grants, and loans. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students was $7,784, and 67% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in Fall 2022. Additionally, the average non-need-based scholarship or grant for first-year students was $5,900.

To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The college's website provides resources and information on how to compare financial aid offers and determine the net cost of attendance.

Students should also be aware of additional fees that may be incurred, such as application fees, enrollment services fees, community living administrative fees, late payment fees, applied music fees, parking fees, and transcript request fees.

Pre-licensure nursing students should note that they will be subject to a tuition differential of $512 or $525 per clinical semester.

The college offers a Net Price Calculator on its website to help students estimate the cost of their education after factoring in financial aid. The website also provides contact information for the financial aid office, encouraging students to seek further information and guidance as needed.

Student demographics

Keene State College is a public liberal arts college in Keene, New Hampshire. It is part of the University System of New Hampshire and was founded in 1909 as a teacher's college.

As of fall 2023, Keene State College has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,735 students. The college's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Colleges North, #15. Its in-state tuition and fees are $14,784; out-of-state tuition and fees are $26,840. The median undergraduate tuition at Keene State College is $11,754, which is $12,242 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities.

In terms of student demographics, the college has an overall enrollment of 2,872 students, with 2,648 full-time students and 224 part-time students. The student body is predominantly white (82.2%), with smaller populations of Hispanic or Latino (5.12%), two or more races (3.52%), Black or African American (1.74%), Asian (1.22%), American Indian or Alaska Native (0.313%), and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (0.104%).

Of the full-time undergraduate students, 46.1% are white females, followed by white males (37.6%) and Hispanic or Latino females (2.89%). The student-faculty ratio is 15:1, and 51.1% of the college's classes have fewer than 20 students. The average first-year student retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 74%.

In 2022, 902 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs, with 60.2% going to women and 39.8% to men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (747 degrees), followed by Hispanic or Latino (32 degrees). The most common Bachelor's Degree concentrations among degree recipients were Occupational Safety & Health Technology (72 degrees), General Psychology (66 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (61 degrees).

Popular majors

Keene State College offers over 40 areas of undergraduate study in the liberal arts, social sciences, sciences, and professional programs. The college also offers selected graduate degrees. As of Fall 2021, the college had 3,104 students enrolled for credit. Here is a detailed overview of some of the popular majors at Keene State College:

Business Administration and Management

Keene State College offers a major in Business Administration and Management, General. This program equips students with strong administrative, quantitative, and communication skills, along with a foundation in liberal arts and sciences. The curriculum prepares students for successful management careers.

Psychology

The Psychology major at Keene State provides students with a broad understanding of human behaviour and mental processes. It is one of the largest academic programs at the college and is ranked among the most popular majors.

Elementary Education and Teaching

This major integrates liberal arts with professional training in education. Keene State's Elementary Education program is NCATE-accredited and covers various aspects of teaching, including early childhood and high school education. The college also offers certification options for professional educators, including school administration and special education.

Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician

Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician is a prominent major at Keene State College. The program prepares students for careers in occupational safety and health program management in construction and other industries. It is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with the graduate program being available fully online.

Criminal Justice Studies

The Criminal Justice Studies major at Keene State College provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal underpinnings of civil society. Students explore topics such as forensic science and constitutional law to gain insight into the U.S. criminal justice system. This major is among the largest academic programs at the college.

Sustainability Studies

Keene State's Sustainability Studies major addresses the need for a new generation of professionals who can drive solutions and positive societal change toward a more sustainable world. The program emphasises hands-on, project-based learning from the start.

Frequently asked questions