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Kent State Welcomes New Record-Breaking Class

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, students have decided to come back to campus and in-person learning, a trend that is evident in the newest class of Golden Flashes, up 4% from last year’s incoming class. As incoming freshmen fill the campus, fellow Flashes can get to know their new classmates. The class of 2025 is filled with students from around the country and the world, with the highest average GPA on record at KSU and from a wide variety of backgrounds, whether that’s socioeconomic, race, gender or sexuality or more. With an increase in enrollment this year, and an increase in graduation rate last year, it’s become even more evident that as Flashes Take Care of Flashes, students and graduates can have the futures of their dreams.

Kent Campus Incoming Freshman Enrollment Up 4%

These newest Golden Flashes arrive 3,982 strong, an increase of more than 4% from a year ago. 

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Students waving shirts at Convocation

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Students moving onto campus
   

All-Time High GPAs

This year’s incoming freshman class are boasting record-breaking academic achievement. With an all-time high GPA of 3.5, these Flashes will be ready to explore all of Kent State’s academic programs. Academically, the class stands out with a record 14% of freshmen admitted to the Honors College.

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Students wearing masks and participating in class
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Freshmen sitting in a row at Convocation 2021
           

 

Increase in First-Generation and Underserved Populations

Nearly one in three (32%) is a first-generation student, and one in six (a record 17.75%) is underserved, which includes African American, Hispanic, Native American and multiracial students as a percent of the total undergraduate student population.

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I am first week

Students from Around the World

As a class, these freshmen have arrived from 38 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 22 countries.

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Kent State International Students Eating Lunch

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Students talking on campus

Leaders of the Pack

The College of Aeronautics and Engineering saw a whopping 10% increase in enrollment. The College of Architecture and Environmental Design had a 3% rise in enrollment, while the College of Education, Health and Human Services saw a rise of 2%. And University College saw a rise of 4%, proving that there’s plenty of time to find the right major. 

 

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A $1.5 million gift from The Timken Foundation of Canton has allowed ºÚÁÏÍø to advance the groundbreaking timeline for the expansion of the Aeronautics and Engineering Building.
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Drone pilots and a drone

World Class Student Services Means High Retention

Kent State’s strong retention (80.5%) of returning students to the Kent Campus can be credited in part to the university’s award-winning student support services designed to help students every step of the way – from their first day on campus through graduation.

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Students sitting around Risman fountain

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Students on campus in Fall 2021

 

Graduate Programs See Rise, Increase in International Students

Graduate studies programs saw an increase in enrollment, including an impressive 9% increase in international graduate students. 

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International students laughing with iPads and cell phones

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International Students on Kent Campus

Overall Enrollment

Kent State achieved a strong fall 2021 enrollment despite continued challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The university’s commitment to making college affordable for all families allows many to continue the pursuit of a degree. Overall, the university reported 34,761 students enrolled in its eight-campus system, a 4.1% decrease compared to last year. Kent Campus enrollment is 25,630 and includes 1,370 international students, an increase of 7.3%.


 

POSTED: Wednesday, October 6, 2021 01:36 PM
Updated: Friday, December 9, 2022 04:13 PM