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Kennesaw State University

KSU

Kennesaw, Georgia 30144

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusSuburbanGreek lifeSports culture

Known for business — major research university

Kennesaw State University is a public institution in Kennesaw with particular strength in business and engineering. With an average SAT of 1120, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 39.5K undergraduates with a 23:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

48% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $57,552 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,972.

Established
1963
Motto
"Wisdom, Justice, Moderation"
Mascot
Scrappy the Owl
Type
Public research university
Conference
Conference USA
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

69%Acceptance
1120SAT Avg
39,503Students
23:1Student:Faculty
48%Grad Rate
$57,552Earnings 10yr
$16,972Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate69.2%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1120

Reading & WritingMid: 580
520620
MathMid: 570
500600

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
1925

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$5,786
Tuition (out-of-state)$17,040
Room & Board$13,027
Books & Supplies$1,500
Total Cost of Attendance$24,618
Average Net Price$16,972
Median Debt at Graduation$23,833
Monthly Payment (10yr)$253

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,754
$30–48K$14,822
$48–75K$17,890
$75–110K$20,179
$110K+$20,512

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

65.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,250

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

281

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

65

Burglary

13

Aggravated Assault

9

Robbery

22

Motor Vehicle Theft

32

Sex Offenses

2

Arson

79

Drug Arrests

59

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (168)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

79%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
39,503
Gender Split
50% / 50%
Women / Men
First Generation
27%
Pell Grant Recipients
35%

Race & Ethnicity

White 43%
Black 27%
Hispanic 16%
Asian 6%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate48.1%
Freshman Retention78.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,863
10 Years$57,552

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#293
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#226
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Owls

SoccerBasketballBasketball coach

History & Fun Facts

  • History Establishment in 1963 until 1975 KSU was chartered by the Board of Regents on October 9, 1963, during one of the most dramatic periods of college expansion in Georgia's history.
  • The university was officially founded by the Georgia Board of Regents approved the establishment of a junior college tentatively to be named Cobb County Junior College.
  • In December 1964, Horace Sturgis was designated to serve as the future college's first president.
  • When the school opened in the fall of 1966, it was named Kennesaw Junior College and had an initial enrollment of 1,014 students.
  • Early years as Kennesaw College, 1976–1995 Thirteen years later, in 1976, the former Kennesaw Junior College became a four-year college and was redesignated Kennesaw College.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

95Average

Estimated from GA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Atlantapop. 500K
23 mi(40 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
192 mi(333 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
228 mi(395 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ATL Atlanta29 mi
BHM Birmingham129 mi
BNA Nashville187 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA931 mi · ~26h 54m drive
New York, NY741 mi · ~21h 24m drive
Hartford, CT839 mi · ~24h 14m drive
Providence, RI895 mi · ~25h 51m drive
Albany, NY834 mi · ~24h 6m drive
Syracuse, NY771 mi · ~22h 16m drive
Rochester, NY733 mi · ~21h 11m drive
Buffalo, NY684 mi · ~19h 46m drive
Philadelphia, PA660 mi · ~19h 4m drive
Pittsburgh, PA509 mi · ~14h 42m drive
Harrisburg, PA604 mi · ~17h 27m drive
Newark, NJ734 mi · ~21h 12m drive
Washington, DC537 mi · ~15h 31m drive
Baltimore, MD571 mi · ~16h 30m drive
Atlanta, GA23 mi · ~40 min drive
Charlotte, NC228 mi · ~6h 35m drive
Raleigh, NC358 mi · ~10h 21m drive
Miami, FL629 mi · ~18h 10m drive
Orlando, FL424 mi · ~12h 15m drive
Tampa, FL439 mi · ~12h 41m drive
Nashville, TN192 mi · ~5h 33m drive
New Orleans, LA428 mi · ~12h 22m drive
Richmond, VA468 mi · ~13h 31m drive
Chicago, IL566 mi · ~16h 21m drive
Detroit, MI579 mi · ~16h 44m drive
Minneapolis, MN885 mi · ~25h 34m drive
St. Louis, MO445 mi · ~12h 51m drive
Kansas City, MO655 mi · ~18h 55m drive
Indianapolis, IN405 mi · ~11h 42m drive
Columbus, OH418 mi · ~12h 5m drive
Cleveland, OH539 mi · ~15h 34m drive
Milwaukee, WI647 mi · ~18h 41m drive
Dallas, TX709 mi · ~20h 29m drive
Houston, TX698 mi · ~20h 10m drive
Austin, TX812 mi · ~23h 27m drive
San Antonio, TX876 mi · ~25h 18m drive
Los Angeles, CA1918 mi · ~55h 25m drive
San Francisco, CA2119 mi · ~61h 13m drive
San Diego, CA1874 mi · ~54h 8m drive
Seattle, WA2157 mi · ~62h 19m drive
Portland, OR2148 mi · ~62h 3m drive
Denver, CO1191 mi · ~34h 24m drive
Phoenix, AZ1575 mi · ~45h 30m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1562 mi · ~45h 7m drive
Honolulu, HI4478 mi · ~129h 22m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Kennesaw State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications