Kennesaw State University is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Kennesaw, Georgia. It enrolls 41,254 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
73/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes46
Value81
Affordability68
Selectivity50
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 69.2%, Kennesaw State University is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
69.2%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1000 – 1220
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
19 – 26
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Kennesaw State University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
6.0 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Kennesaw State University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $15,048 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$15,048
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
38%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
33%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$5,808
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$17,736
Room & Board (on-campus)
$13,287
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,045
Books & Supplies
$1,500
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$5,883
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,841
Total Cost of Attendance
$24,008
Application fee: $40 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$12,235
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,661
$48,001 – $75,000
$15,185
$75,001 – $110,000
$18,263
Over $110,000
$19,309
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,00010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$23,833Medianpercentile
$24,08875%percentile
$35,31290%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $16,958
↓ $6,875
No Pell $11,000
↓ $12,833
Dependent students $13,000
↓ $10,833
Independent students $18,750
↓ $5,083
Female students $15,000
↓ $8,833
Male students $13,750
↓ $10,083
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,250, less than completers ($23,833), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
47% of full-time students who enrolled at Kennesaw State University graduate within six years, and 78% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
47%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
78%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Kennesaw State University earn a median of $57,552 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$57,552
Earning > $25K
80%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$42,900
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$56,100
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$45,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$47,900
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$51,000
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $13,200, about 24% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
15.0 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 78% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Kennesaw State University is home to 41,254 students, a sprawling student community.
Total Enrolled
41,254
Part-Time
24%
First-Generation
27%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 39.2%16,172
Black 28.2%11,625
Hispanic 17.0%6,997
Asian 6.0%2,488
Other 5.3%2,203
International 1.8%730
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Kennesaw State University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbKennesaw, Georgia
Housing
Limited on-campus housing5,912 beds
Adult Learners
12%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Kennesaw State University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
125 distinct programs across
24 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Kennesaw State University is 23:1, high (larger classes are common).
Student : Faculty
23:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$5,602
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$111M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$84,690
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
1,289 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
288
22%
$106,097
Associate Professors
282
22%
$88,411
Assistant Professors
343
27%
$83,221
Instructors
47
4%
$62,529
Lecturers
329
26%
$67,574
Pros & Cons of Kennesaw State University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Kennesaw State University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Wide variety of programs and student life
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Larger class sizes than typical
Large institutional setting can feel impersonal
Below-average completion rate
Modest first-year retention
Best for:
Based on the data, Kennesaw State University is a fit for
students who want a large campus with breadth and variety.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kennesaw State University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Kennesaw State University.
Is Kennesaw State University hard to get into?
Admissions at Kennesaw State University are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 69.2%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Kennesaw State University?
Kennesaw State University has an acceptance rate of 69.2%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Kennesaw State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Kennesaw State University scored between 1000 and 1220 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Kennesaw State University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Kennesaw State University scored between 19 and 26 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Kennesaw State University cost?
The average net price after aid at Kennesaw State University is $15,048 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Kennesaw State University worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $57,552 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $15,048 per year. That's roughly 3.8x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Kennesaw State University known for?
Kennesaw State University is best known for its programs in Psychology, Business Administration, Nursing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Kennesaw State University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Kennesaw State University are $57,552, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Kennesaw State University accredited?
Yes. Kennesaw State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend Kennesaw State University?
Kennesaw State University enrolls 41,254 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Kennesaw State University?
Kennesaw State University graduates 47% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Kennesaw State University a public or private college?
Kennesaw State University is a Public institution.
Where is Kennesaw State University located?
Kennesaw State University is located in Kennesaw, Georgia.
What programs does Kennesaw State University offer?
Kennesaw State University offers 125 distinct programs. The most popular include Psychology, Business Administration, Nursing.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Kennesaw State University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Kennesaw State University is 23:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Georgia
Other colleges in Georgia share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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