Keene State College College Portrait
Keene State College229 Main Street Keene, NH 03435
800-572-1909
Keene State College
Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve
As New Hampshire’s foremost public liberal arts college, Keene State offers 40 undergraduate majors in the liberal arts, sciences, and professional studies. Keene State draws on strong academic programs, faculty scholars, and a tradition of small classes and spirited inquiry. Internships, service learning, and collaborations with business partners move the classroom into the community and the world. Keene State's 5,000 undergraduates enjoy an attractive residential campus in the heart of a small New England city. Keene State has earned the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement and is on the President’s Honor Roll for Service, bringing to life the college motto: “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve.
Living in the Community
Keene State College prepares promising students to think critically and creatively, to engage in active citizenship, and to pursue meaningful work. As the public liberal arts college of New Hampshire, we offer an enriching campus community and achieve academic excellence through the integration of teaching, learning, scholarship, and service. The college encourages student, faculty, and staff interaction in a variety of service learning opportunities, community service programs, and partnerships. From international learning opportunities to 22 different Living/Learning Communities, students become involved in the fabric of society. A fully staffed academic and personal support system reflects our commitment to their development and success. As a vibrant community with an award winning Division III athletic program and more than 100 different student clubs and organizations, 60 percent of our students have chosen to live on campus, where opportunities for engagement abound.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
| Total Students | 5,340 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 5,206 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 2,912 | 56% |
| Men | 2,294 | 44% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 13 | <1% |
| Asian | 33 | 1% |
| African American / Black | 29 | 1% |
| Hispanic | 90 | 2% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 1 | <1% |
| White | 4,631 | 89% |
| Two or More Races | 45 | 1% |
| International | 5 | <1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 359 | 7% |
| Where do KSC undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 53% |
| Other US States & Territories | 47% |
| Other Countries | <1% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are KSC undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 20 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 4% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | SAT |
|---|---|
| Math | 450 - 550 |
| Critical Reading | 450 - 550 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top of graduating class Data Not Available | ||
| Average High School GPA Data Not Available | ||
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2009-10 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $21,480
Out-of-State & Other Costs
More Information
The cost to attend Keene State College varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 37% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $6,025. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 55% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $5,294. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2008-2009 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
KSC Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 18 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 81% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 99% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 197 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 46% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 6% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 81% |
More Information
Campus-based Housing
95% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
54% of all undergraduates live on campus
More Information
Campus Safety
The mission of the Department of Campus Safety is to provide effective, efficient, and consistent service to every member of the Keene State College community. The department exists to assist those who seek and those who impart knowledge, as well as those who provide support to the mission of the College.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (smaller programs)
- Size and Setting
- Medium four-year, highly residential
- Enrollment Profile
- Very high undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, selective, lower transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Balanced arts & sciences/professions, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Single postbaccalaureate (education)
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
More Information
Student Activities and Involvement at KSC
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 95% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 49% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 24% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 87% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 20% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 63% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 61% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 10% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 95% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 98% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 77% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 75% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 94% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 60% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 90% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 98% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 83% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 56% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 87% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 27% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 81% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 92% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 85% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Keene State College in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Associate's | 35 |
| Bachelor's | 1,023 |
| Master's | 43 |
| Total | 1,101 |
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES | 10% |
| Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician | 9% |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 8% |
| Sociology | 7% |
| Psychology, General | 6% |
| Links to degree programs at Keene State College |
|---|
Associate'sBachelor'sMaster's |
Future Plans of 2009-10 Bachelor's Degree Recipients
Survey Administration Process
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 87% four-year success and progress rate means that 87% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 1,072 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 195 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 77%
Student Learning at Keene State College
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Recognizing that a true education engages the whole person, Keene State challenges students to develop the habits of mind and character that prepare them for productive lives and work. Keene State draws on strong academic programs, faculty scholars, and a tradition of small classes and spirited inquiry. The College’s commitment to academic excellence is founded on integrative learning for all students. Rich and varied co-curricular experiences move the classroom into the community and the world, making the College motto, “Enter to learn, go forth to serve,
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
2009-10 Results from the Collegiate Learning Assessment
The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and written communication using a performance task and an analytic writing task. The scores from the tasks are reported separately below.
Test Administration Process
Test Information
Performance Task Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 1050
Senior Score: 1143
CLA score range: 400 to no maximum score.
Average EEA scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1041
Senior Score: 1007
Analytic Writing Task Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the analytic writing task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 1066
Senior Score: 1144
CLA score range: 400 to no maximum score.
Average EEA scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1041
Senior Score: 1007