Kennesaw State University
A good fit for students who want a major research university experience and in-state Georgia residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 41,254 students.
About This School
Kennesaw State University is a public institution located in Kennesaw, Georgia with approximately 41,254 undergraduate students enrolled. Kennesaw State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 69%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,048 per year. The graduation rate is 52%, and the typical graduate earns $47,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a public research university in the U.S. state of Georgia with two campuses in the Atlanta metropolitan area, one in the Kennesaw area and the other in Marietta on a combined 581 acres (235 ha) of land. The school was founded in 1963 by the Georgia Board of Regents using local bonds and a federal space-grant during a time of major Georgia economic expansion after World War II. KSU also holds classes at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Dalton State College, and in Paulding County (Dallas). The total enrollment exceeds 51,000 students making KSU the third-largest university by enrollment in Georgia.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $16,972/year net cost and only $14,250 in median debt at graduation, this is one of the more affordable paths to a degree in the Atlanta metro — and proximity to a major job market is a real advantage. However, the 48% graduation rate is a genuine concern, meaning roughly half of students who start here don't finish, which is worth taking seriously before enrolling. This is a strong option for cost-conscious students who are self-directed and have a clear plan, particularly in business or IT fields where metro Atlanta connections can help push earnings beyond the $47,900 median.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 16% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (41,254 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Kennesaw State University Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Georgia
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Athens, GA · Public
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA · Public
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA · Public
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA · Public
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA · Public
Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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