Kennesaw State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Kennesaw, Georgia · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
69%
34,680 applicants
Avg SAT
1110
Mid 50: 1010–1210
In-state tuition
$5,786
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$16,972
after aid, what families pay

Kennesaw State University is a public institution located in Kennesaw, Georgia with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Kennesaw State University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 69%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1120 and an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $16,972 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether Kennesaw State University is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.

What GPA does my child need for Kennesaw State University?

Kennesaw State University admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
6.6%
3.75–3.99
20.3%
3.50–3.74
25.2%
3.25–3.49
23.6%
3.00–3.24
15.4%
2.50–2.99
8.8%
Below 2.50
0.1%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Kennesaw State University.

What does Kennesaw State University weight in admissions?

Kennesaw State University reports the following factor importance in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). These are the criteria the admissions committee weighs when reviewing applications.

Very Important2 factors
  • Academic GPA
  • Standardized test scores
Not Considered16 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • First generation status
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest

SAT and ACT scores Kennesaw State University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 580. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1010
50th percentile1110
75th percentile1210
% submitting SAT38%
ACT Composite
25th percentile19
50th percentile22
75th percentile26
% submitting ACT16%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class14.5%
Top 25% of class41.4%
Top 50% of class76.8%
% submitting class rank79.7%

How much does Kennesaw State University actually cost?

Published tuition is $5,786 for in-state students and $17,040 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,027 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $16,972 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 35% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.

In-state tuition$5,700
Out-of-state tuition$21,030
Room and board$13,795
Average net price (after aid)$16,972
Application fee (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Kennesaw State University

Regular admission
Regular deadline11/1
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from Kennesaw State University?

Retention and graduation rates are the most overlooked numbers in college planning, but they predict actual outcomes far better than acceptance rate. They tell you whether admitted students stay and finish on time.

Freshman retention
76.7%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
52.2%
finished within 6 years

Other colleges in Georgia parents ask about

How parents track GPA toward selective schools like Kennesaw State University

Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like Kennesaw State University recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.

Common questions parents ask about Kennesaw State University

What GPA do I need for Kennesaw State University?

Kennesaw State University admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.

What SAT or ACT score does Kennesaw State University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 580. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–25.

How much does Kennesaw State University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Kennesaw State University after grants and scholarships is $16,972 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.

Is Kennesaw State University realistic for my child?

Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, Kennesaw State University is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.

Data sourced from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Kennesaw State University, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Solyo extracts admissions data from official Common Data Set publications and refreshes it annually.