Kent State University is seeing growing student interest in fields that are shaping the future of our communities, workplaces and healthcare systems.
This fall, Kent State welcomed the largest first-year architecture class in 25 years, while the College of Nursing enrolled its largest incoming class in a decade. The milestones are part of a strong Fall 2026 class that includes 5,004 first-year students across Kent State’s eight-campus system.
That momentum reflects continued interest in fields where talented professionals can make a meaningful impact.
And opportunities to study in these areas aren’t limited to the traditional campus experience.
Through Kent State Online, students and working professionals can access flexible online programs that build on Kent State’s expertise in nursing, healthcare, and design—while earning a Kent State education from wherever they are.
Advancing the Future of Nursing
As the need for highly skilled healthcare professionals continues to grow, Kent State is preparing nurses at multiple stages of their careers.
For registered nurses interested in earning a bachelor’s degree, Kent State’s online Nursing for Registered Nurses (RN to BSN) program provides a flexible pathway designed specifically for RNs who already hold a nursing diploma or associate degree.
The program is 100% online and can be completed in as little as 12 months, depending on a student’s previous education and transfer credits. Students build on their existing nursing experience while expanding their knowledge in areas such as evidence-based practice, patient care, and healthcare policy.
Kent State Online also offers opportunities for nurses ready to take the next step in their education, including online graduate nursing degrees and certificates in areas such as Nursing, Nursing Practice, Nurse Education, Nursing Administration, Health Systems Leadership, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Together, these programs give nurses options to continue learning while balancing the demands of their careers and lives.
Designing Better Environments for Health and Well-Being
Kent State’s record incoming architecture class also highlights growing interest in the ways thoughtful design can influence how people live, work, and interact with the world around them.
For professionals interested in the intersection of design and healthcare, Kent State offers the online Health Systems and Facilities Design Graduate Certificate through the College of Architecture and Environmental Design.
The program offers another way to engage with Kent State’s expertise in architecture and design in an online format—particularly for professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of environments designed to support healthcare delivery.
Rather than replacing the traditional studio-based architecture experience highlighted by this year’s enrollment milestone, the online certificate extends Kent State’s design expertise to learners who may already be working in the field or seeking specialized graduate-level education.
Kent State Expertise, Wherever You Are
The growth Kent State is seeing in architecture and nursing is part of a larger story: students are seeking educational opportunities that connect their interests with meaningful careers and evolving workforce needs.
For many learners, flexibility is also an important part of that equation.
Kent State Online offers more than 90 online degree and certificate programs, providing opportunities to learn from Kent State faculty and pursue a Kent State education from across Ohio and beyond.
Whether you’re a registered nurse ready to advance your education, a professional interested in the future of healthcare environments, or simply exploring what comes next, Kent State Online offers flexible pathways to help you move forward.
Ready to explore your options?
