Awards and Honors

Kent State University employees smile during the employee appreciation cookout held before the start of the 2021 Fall Semester.

Kent State University has the distinction of being the only Ohio public or private college or university that ranks among the top 500 companies nationwide in Forbes’ recently released list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2022.

Kent State University students walk by the Kent Student Center.

U.S. News & World Report ranks six Kent State University programs in the top 100 among public institutions in its 2023 edition of Best Graduate Schools. Among the top 100 public institution programs, Kent State is recognized in the Best Nursing Schools: Master’s Programs, Best Education Schools, Best Mathematics Programs, Best Psychology Schools, Best Public Health Programs and Best Physics Schools rankings. Kent State is also recognized in an additional five new national rankings.

A Kent State University Army ROTC cadet salutes the American flag during the university’s Veterans Day commemoration

Kent State University continues to exemplify leadership in its mission to support students as the Kent Campus is designated as a Military Friendly® School for the 13th consecutive year in a row, earning a Gold award. In addition, Kent State University at Trumbull earned a Silver award.

A Kent State University faculty researcher (right) in the Department of Anthropology works with a student (left) in a laboratory in Lowry Hall.

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has awarded Kent State University the esteemed R1 status for research, which is the highest recognition that doctoral universities can receive. The prestigious designation affirms Kent State’s place as an elite research institution and puts the university in the company of universities such as Yale, Harvard and the University of California-Berkeley. 

A Kent State University faculty researcher (right) in the Department of Anthropology works with a student (left) in a laboratory in Lowry Hall.

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has awarded Kent State University the esteemed R1 status for research, which is the highest recognition that doctoral universities can receive. The prestigious designation affirms Kent State’s place as an elite research institution and puts the university in the company of universities such as Yale, Harvard and the University of California-Berkeley. 

Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship
msba Ranked #12 in the nation

The Kent State University Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship’s Online Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) ranks No. 12 in the nation in Fortune’s Best Online Master’s in Business Analytics Programs in 2022.

Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship
Ranked #23 Online MBA Program by Princeton Review

Kent State’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship offers one of the nation's most outstanding online MBA programs, according to The Princeton Review®. The education services company profiles the College in its list, Top 50 Online MBA Programs for 2022 ranking.

Kent State University employees smile during the employee appreciation cookout held before the start of the 2021 Fall Semester.

For the 10th time, Kent State University is being recognized as a “Great College to Work For,” according to the latest survey by the Great Colleges to Work For program. The program recognizes the colleges that get top ratings from their employees regarding workplace practices and policies. 

Kent State University's Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D., speaks at the dedication of the Unity Walkway during Homecoming 2021.

Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D., Kent State University’s senior vice president for student affairs, has been named the recipient of the NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) Region IV-East Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Senior Student Affairs Officer for 2021, named to Crain’s Cleveland Business Forty Under 40, selected as a recipient of the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Diamond Honoree award and is a member of the 2022 class of the NASPA Pillars of the Profession award.

Kent State students at 2021 Convocation

Once again, Kent State University shines in the new U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges rankings. U.S. News has again named Kent State among the Top Public Schools in the nation in the newly released rankings.