I originally applied to Kean University, maybe 3 years ago now. I did not register for classes because I decided on a different major. I then applied again because I saw they had a 3-year nursing program. There was so much miscommunication on how I can switch my major and get everything I needed in time for the application, since missing out on that application, I asked how I could be on track for this year's application. Because it was summer time, I was told the head of the nursing department was out, but would be in at the beginning of the semester, maybe if i tried emailing her she would answer prior to being back in office. She did not which was anticipated. I was eventually told by the nursing department itself to switch my major to public health to make up time for classes like A&P, microbio, and stats. I switched my major, retook my anatomy class I was told needed to be retaken and was enrolled in the class as the nursing application opened. As I was applying I realized I didn't qualify as an internal applicant because you need to be full-time and already have a full-time semester (which I was NEVER told). So I called and got many different answers (last one being told to apply and then I reminded the nursing staff member of the application requirements and was then told I cannot apply at all) I got the email of the head of nursing again expressed my frustration of the misinformation I was told by her department just for her to ask for names of the people i spoke to and is not sure why im taking nursing classes under a non nursing major or why i am in a&p 2 when i need to retake a&p1. I am not sure why i would write the names of the people im supposed to trust when I call for information, so I told her that its not a sufficient result to retrain her staff and that her department specifically instructed me to change my major and retake the 1 class. She stopped answering which is completely unprofessional in my opinion. So I took matters into my own hands and asked for a meeting with the dean of health professions to investigate my matter. I got a reply within less than an hour. But it took over a week to get back to me, so I decided I no longer wanted to attend Kean University at all. Still expressed my disappointment with the assistant dean of health professions, where she then told me to at least look into pubic health careers (which is not why I attended the college at all) she then emailed me shortly after our meeting to just drop the class, and I can get a 100% refund. It just seems like nobody knows anything and just say anything, or just dont answer your calls and emails. College is not an easy process at all, and if you need help or any sense of direction, this school is definitely not where you want to be.
I attended Kean University from September of 2023 until August of 2025. I was a remote student, so I do not have any comments on living accommodations or community events. However, there are many other things I can comment on.
Firstly, the classes here are very limited, so finding any interesting courses that do not pertain to your major is difficult. The classes that are available are perfectly adequate and allow you to earn your credits. I did find it hard to register for classes on time, as the second they all open up, it's basically the Hunger Games. If you aren't able to get into the classes you need, I hope you're prepared to spend even more time here.
Secondly, getting in touch with staff is nearly impossible. They do not answer the phones (I'm aware they're busy people, but having to wait over a day sometimes for a call back can make you a little grumpy), and they also rarely answer their emails. I've been communicating with the graduation department since mid-November about my missing diploma, and it's basically like talking to a brick wall.
Lastly, a huge shout-out to Mrs. Kristina Jones, my former EOF counselor. She was the only one of my counselors to answer her email and phone whenever I needed her. She made sure I had all my credits completed on time and supported me during my mother's hospital stay in February of 2025. I couldn't have graduated without you!
How can you trust this place when they go back on their word like it means nothing? I was told I could keep my email after graduation!! Something I trusted and linked many important accounts to this email ?
Edit: Changing my review from 5 stars to 2. Reason is as Alumni, we were told we could keep our Kean email after graduation. Now 6 years later, they are getting rid of all Alumni emails, this is super annoying because I used my Kean email for literally everything. The amount of apps I have logged into using my Kean email, I cant even keep track. I understand that Kean is migrating from Google to Microsoft 365 (outlook) but if Kean had any dignity, they would migrate Alumi to their Outlook as well. I feel we got kicked to the curb. No longer recommend Kean unfortunately because of this headache they are giving me.
Graduated in 2019 and never rated until now. I give it 5 stars. It was overall a great experience and had some pretty cool professors. My keystone graduation project was fun, too. Nice campus with mostly modern buildings. Didn't live on campus but rented an apartment down the street.
Just received a notification that my alumni email address is abruptly being discontinued. New students, steer clear of this university. Once you graduate, they will toss you aside like trash.
They have switched multiple crucial systems over the summer which have made my experience for registering for classes and contacting people to get help for it hell.
*I visited the Liberty Hall museum. It was another delightful tour! This was my second trip with my school and mom and we saw new sections based on what happened in history in the season we have now. The staff are always a pleasure! And I can't wait to see more! I may also consider having my wedding here ❣️?✨
If you are an education or music major, I’m sure it’s great. For anything else, I STRONGLY suggest going elsewhere, ESPECIALLY as a transfer student. I have talked to others who agree as well.
It’s a relatively nice, small campus and there’s only a handful of professors I liked or wanted you to succeed. The biggest problem lies in the system and faculty relating to administration, registration, and finance. There have been multiple times the school didn’t allow me to take certain classes or be able to further progress my degree, claiming I didn’t take the prerequisite when I did and the system says I did. But they never fixed it permanently, setting me back multiple semesters. Also, you need to meet with your guidance counselor before registering for the next semester. Mine didn’t answer me in time once, and a class I needed booked up. Even though it wasn’t my fault, they refused to not do anything about it. I went to upper administration for both issues and they were rude and didn’t help or answer eventually. They are way too expensive for what they represent and how they treat most.
Campus great dorms fantastic and cafeteria food something yummy halal food too lot of students activities safe dorms have security. There is campus police to safeguard. Students and staff sports arena close to airport NYC mall university shuttle runs around malls, train station grocery lively
Please allow your staff to return to work on campus. It sucks that individuals have to call repeatedly for days, yes I said days in order to get through to someone. This is very ridiculous and annoying. When people work from home, they aren't taking their job seriously at all. Why should be on the phone for hours, yes I said hours waiting on someone to pick up the phone. Additionally, why do individuals need to leave a message to get a call back from your Financial Aid Department? Like come on its 2023, have people on hand to answer questions that WE THE GENERAL PUBLIC MAY HAVE.
Excellent college in Union, New Jersey (Union County). It was founded in 1855. It is located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey. Kean University was founded in 1855 in Newark, New Jersey, as the Newark Normal School. Initially established for the exclusive purpose of being a teacher-education college it became New Jersey State Teachers College in 1937. In 1958, following a post-war boom of students and increasing demands for a more comprehensive curriculum, the college was relocated from Newark to Union Township, site of the Kean family's ancestral home at Liberty Hall. After its move to the historic Livingston-Kean Estate, which includes the entire Liberty Hall acreage, the historic James Townley House, and Kean Hall, which historically housed the library of United States Senator Hamilton Fish Kean and served as a political meeting place, the school became Newark State College, a comprehensive institution providing a full range of academic programs and majors. Renamed Kean College of New Jersey in 1973, the institution earned university status on September 26, 1997, becoming Kean University of New Jersey. Kean University has subsequently grown to become the third largest institution of higher education in New Jersey and currently comprises five undergraduate colleges and the Nathan Weiss Graduate College.
I hated every second of this place. I had a lot of mental health issues that I won’t get into here, but when I tried to schedule an appointment with their counselors, it was a month away. I moved back home for my own sake, and they pulled stuff like charging a $1500 fee over student loans and another $75 fee because I couldn’t sign a sheet to move out due to having been home for a month and a half. Then the residence hall director at Freshman Hall pulled a “if we had known, we wouldn’t have charged you.” You knew. I told you about my issues a month earlier when I was switching rooms OVER EMAIL. My mom had to go full Karen mode over Zoom to get them to drop the money we “owed” but never actually owed. Don’t go here, they’re a bunch of money hungry gremlins. Also half the time the food didn’t even look edible.
Amazing home grown theater! Premiere has a passion for new work and creates lasting and meaningful impact with the community and partner groups. The quality of work presented is always top notch and well executed. The opportunities afforded to students are valuable and many. Kean should continue to support the arts and give Premiere the notoriety it deserves. Bravo!
Tuition is definitely affordable, and the campus is definitely nice. Professors are very understanding, and definitely help you when you need it. The only thing I have an issue with is the Trolley System. Sometimes I'd get out of class at 10:45 and my next class would be at 11 in East campus. Even if I got out of class and got to the Trolley stop by Kean Hall, sometimes the Trolley wouldn't come for 30 minutes. Maybe if the Kean App had a gps tracker on the Trolley to show where it was located, it would help a lot because sometimes you have to just hope it will come. Other than that I love this University. Miron Student Center is amazing, the information desk gives you all the information you need. Sandra Collins will always help you when you need it! There are many places to study in peace whether it be the library in a study room, Green Lane, East Campus, the Stem building, there's always a place to study in peace. There's also a variety of places to eat such as the cafe, Jersey Mike's, Auntie Anne's, or Smash Burger. Also, there are many clubs to join, and if you're a commuter doing extra curricular activities help kill time when you're waiting for parkway traffic to die down.
Received my education at this university for 7 years. I received my BA in Psychology and my MA in psychological services and marriage and family therapy. Loved every second of it!!!
The one thing I can say about Kean, is the fact they wish to keep up appearances. You'd be hard press to find any litter, messy parking lots, or overfilled garbage/recycling. Traffic around campus can be horrendous, but it's primarily stop and go. Facilities available for all walks of life. And don't worry about parking. You'll get a spot...just might max out your steps for the day. So if, clean atmosphere, diverse culture of people, and a line on Starbucks is your thing...come to Kean, the education is good too.
This is school is a totaL CAOS! There is way to many students than what the university can hold. It is a complete hassle for commuters, as parking is impossible to find, you have to come 1 hour before your class starting time to be lucky to find parking. Where you can park does not have shuttles, so you have to walk for 10-15 minutes from the MERCK BUILDING to the buildings where you have your classes. YOU PAY OVER $6,000 for a University to have you stressed from the moment you get there. People who work at the university, dont give you correct information, and barely have a degree. This school needs an improvement for their students.
This college has pros and cons just like any other institution. I was a business major, so I cannot speak for other programs.
Some of the pros:
-The campus is beautiful and very well maintained.
-The campus is more-or-less contained in one area.
-Some professors (not all) are very helpful if you show that you care.
-The gym is actually useful.
-The campus is expanding.
-Very nice cafeteria.
-There is a Starbucks next to the library, perfect for white girls. (FYI this is the only Starbucks in the USA that is franchised.)
-Best school in NJ if you want to become a teacher.
-STEM building is awesome.
Cons:
-Tuition is rising at an exponential rate.
-Not exactly the most illustrious school.
-Parking spaces are diminishing because of all the new buildings, adding to the HUGE parking problem that already plagues KU.
-Not too engaging on campus since most people commute and leave right after their classes are over.
-The grade curving is absolutely ridiculous. I worked my tail off to receive the same grade as the slackers. It got so bad that I had a 160% in a class one time. Had multiple classes where I received a +100%. How does that work?
-Administration is horrible (especially admissions).
-Not exactly located on the best side of town.
-Student store is expensive (especially books). Student deli is extremely expensive (I'm talking $5-for-a-Red-Bull expensive.)
-Some professors will avoid you like the plague outside of class.
-Like anywhere else, some students don't care at all and you will have to deal with that.
My overall experience with Kean was a good one. I transferred from a community college and Kean definitely was a step up.
Kean Univesity has its ups and downs like any other school:
Pros: some really good professors in certain departments: (eg. politics, computers, education, business), relatively easy to get into and graduate from, free on campus events in the beginning of the school year and once in a while, and good library with Starbucks to study in. They have comfortable dorms with heating & a/c, fridges, and programs once in a while, to help engage you with other residents and have fun.
Cons: Kean almost lost its accreditation in 2012, hardly any parking from 10 AM to 5PM, some of the computers don't work in the library, reports of various crimes around the school in Elizabeth and Union, no activities to do on campus on weekends and everyone goes home, miking it empty not enough tutors to cover all subjects, and no air conditioning in certain buildings. Furthermore, they keep raising the tuition every year.
The curriculum I enrolled in was good. I just graduated and am not having too much trouble getting job offers. Obviously anyone that stays in the STEM field will have an easier time than liberal arts degrees, but that's with any school. The administration sucks, both student body and faculty commonly express their dislike of the administration and executive workings at Kean.
Its cheaper than Rutgers and NJCU, and you get an on par university degree. The pros out weight the cons here. Would recommend to undecided high school students in New Jersey.
I attended Kean from 1975 through 1979 and lived on Campus for All 4 Years, must state that I had a Wonderful Time. During those days I played Football for 3 Years, Lacrosse for 2 Years and joined a Fraternity (Nu Sigma Phi) as a Freshman. You could say I was Very Involved in Campus Life on many fronts, it was the Best Years of my Life at that Time. The College offered may opportunities for me, to prove it please ask anybody who has attended this Great School if they ever heard of the Greek Olympics. This University gave a Foster Child that had nothing from Bayonne the Environment to create a Legacy as the Founder of this Annual Event. The Kean Greek Olympics is held every spring for the last 37 Years, the school Honored me last April (2013) for this achievement. I would strongly recommend you seriously consider the Total Package this University has to offer, it would be worth attending. I came back to Kean again on Saturday Oct.25th 2014, my Fraternity had its 75th Year Gala on Campus and I always look forward to going back.
EXCELLENT university! This university has a lot to offer to its students. Professors are very helpful and always encourage to become more independent and further your education within both the classroom and the future. Commuting can tough for those who drive (parking is an issue), but if your able to take NJ Transit then definitely do it. (Name another school that has a train station across the street from the campus.) Half hour from NYC, store outlets within a few miles for shopping. Kean has helped me immensely from not only an academic stand point, but also as an individual. Overall I've had a great student experience here and choosing Kean University has probably been the best decision I've ever made.
Kean university is an amazing school. THe moment you walk on campus you immediately fall in love with the beauty that surrounds you. The professors at this school are very helpful and encourage everyone to push further. It's affordable and very good when it comes to obtaining an education at a reasonable price. My experience has been excellent so far.
It's funny how people complain about Kean and how they don't have a job. It is your own fault you don't have a job! The number of Cum Laudes at Kean is not more than any other university. My CPS courses have usually less than 30 students in them which makes learning easier than at a school with 300 students in the class. Also, the teachers are very helpful and I feel like they actually care about their students and get to know you when at other universities you are just a number. Not sure about other departments, but CS department is awesome.
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