SAS is a command-driven software package used for statistical analysis and data visualization. It is available only for Windows operating systems.
As of January 2025, Kent State uses SAS 9.4. Note that SAS is only compatible with Windows operating systems.
SAS OnDemand for Academics is a cloud-based version of the SAS software that SAS, Inc. offers at no charge for students. It can be accessed on any computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) with an internet connection through your browser, and does not require any software to be installed on your computer. If you are a student with a Mac or Linux computer, SAS OnDemand for Academics is the easiest way to use SAS. It's also a great option for students with Windows computers who do not have enough free hard drive space to install SAS, or for anyone having difficulty installing "desktop" SAS.
SAS OnDemand for Academics is free to use for students, but you must register for an account.You can check out our tutorial on how to start using SAS OnDemand for Academics, or check out the official SAS OnDemand for Academics website.
For most users, SAS ODA will be sufficient; however, it does lack some specialized statistics available in the version of SAS 9.4 licensed by Kent State. Additionally, SAS ODA accounts have 5 GB of storage space, which may present challenges for students working with large datasets.
SAS University Edition was a version of SAS that could run on a virtual machine, which made it possible to use a version of SAS on Windows, Mac, or Linux computers. The software was discontinued in July 2021; SAS, Inc. advised users of SAS University Edition to migrate to SAS OnDemand for Academics. Individuals who have previously used SAS University Edition will find SAS OnDemand for Academics to have a near-identical interface.
In general, all files associated with "desktop" SAS are compatible/usable in SAS OnDemand for Academics.
SAS OnDemand for Academics is free to use for all students (Kent State or otherwise). Kent State's licenses for the "desktop" version of SAS are independent of SAS ODA.
Kent State University maintains a university-wide, limited seat license for SAS. All currently-employed faculty and staff, as well as currently-enrolled students are eligible to request a copy of SAS at no charge. The Division of Information Technology currently distributes SAS 9.4 software and licenses. SAS licenses must be renewed yearly. Note that SAS is only available for Windows operating systems.
Please contact your local support person to receive a copy of the software or to renew your existing license.
Visit software.kent.edu to download a copy of the software or renew your license.
If you encounter problems while installing SAS, you may bring your computer to the Tri-Towers Tech Help desk. Please see the Tech Help Desk Services and Hours before visiting.
Kent State students who need to use SAS but are unable to install the "desktop" version of SAS on their computer can alternatively use the free, cloud-based SAS OnDemand for Academics. SAS OnDemand for Academics allows you to access a version of SAS through your browser, which means you can access it on any computer with an internet connection.
SAS OnDemand for Academics is a great option if:
SAS OnDemand for Academics is free for students, but you must register for an account with SAS. Follow the instructions on the SAS website to create your account and begin using the platform.
Several of the library's subscription databases offer research-quality datasets in SAS format.
SAS® Certified Specialist Prep Guide: Base Programming Using SAS 9.4
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Cody's Collection of Popular SAS Programming Tasks and How to Tackle Them
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