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

Officially Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, Georgia · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2025-2026

  • Tests required
33,513
Applicants
26,622
Admitted79%
9,537
Enrolled
36%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Open access79% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1100
Mid 50: 1010–1210
In-state tuition
$5,760
per year, before aid (CDS 2025-2026)
Net price (avg)
$15,048
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #342 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #149 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #44 (tie), Computer Science #217 (tie), Nursing #172 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Kennesaw State University (see the source), read on 2026-09-18.

Is Kennesaw State a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

Kennesaw State is a public university in Kennesaw, Georgia that admits about 79% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $15,048 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Mechanical Engineering, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 50% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Kennesaw State is a public institution located in Kennesaw, Georgia. For the most recent reporting cycle, Kennesaw State admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 79%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1100 and an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,048 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Kennesaw State?

52% of enrolled students at Kennesaw State had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.48, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
6.2%
3.75–3.99
21.4%
3.50–3.74
24.7%
3.25–3.49
23.8%
3.00–3.24
14.8%
2.50–2.99
9.2%
Below 2.50
0.0%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Kennesaw State University.

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What does Kennesaw State weight in admissions?

Kennesaw State reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important

2
  • Academic GPA
  • Standardized test scores

Not Considered

16
  • 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 typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 580. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–26. 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 percentile1100
75th percentile1210
% submitting SAT41%
ACT Composite
25th percentile19
50th percentile22
75th percentile26
% submitting ACT12%
Current testing policy
  • • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
  • • SAT or ACT required (USG); CLT accepted starting Fall 2027. Min ACT 18/18 or SAT 500/490; higher for Architecture.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Kennesaw State's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

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 class18%
Top 25% of class43%
Top 50% of class77%
% submitting class rank78%

How much does Kennesaw State actually cost?

Published tuition is $5,808 for in-state students and $17,736 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,287 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $15,048 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 38% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$5,760
Out-of-state tuition$21,660
Room and board$14,348
Average net price (after aid)$15,048
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need45%
Average need-based grant$9,385
Average merit award, no financial need61 first-year students received one$1,233
Graduates who borrowed47%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$24,067
Financial aid formsFAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$40 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Kennesaw State

Regular admission
Regular deadline7/1
Notification dateYes August 1
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from Kennesaw State?

These predict outcomes at Kennesaw State better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
79.6%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
22.4%
finished on time
6-year graduation
50.1%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Kennesaw State

The most popular undergraduate programs at Kennesaw State, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Mechanical Engineering. Across all programs, Kennesaw State confers roughly 2,208 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $51,136 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Psychology, General448$51,136
Business Administration, Management and Operations290$60,145
Mechanical Engineering259$86,737
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods256$49,356
Biology, General246$56,720
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing240$83,064
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness237$51,863
Accounting and Related Services232$71,209
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Kennesaw State safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Kennesaw State disclosed 40 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 6 violent offenses and 22 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
40
1.0 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
6
0.15 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
22
0.53 per 1,000
Burglary
6
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 41,254 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Kennesaw State?

About 13% of undergraduates at Kennesaw State live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
13%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
29%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
4%
of course sections
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Kennesaw State University.

Other colleges in Georgia parents ask about

Next steps for Kennesaw State

Common questions parents ask about Kennesaw State

What GPA do I need for Kennesaw State?

52% of enrolled students at Kennesaw State had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.48, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Kennesaw State typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 490–600, with an EBRW midpoint near 580. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–26.

How much does Kennesaw State actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Kennesaw State after grants and scholarships is $15,048 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $5,808 and $17,736 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is Kennesaw State realistic for my child?

Kennesaw State admits 79% of applicants, so 490–600 SAT Math is target range and below 490 is a reach. Then check the $15,048 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Kennesaw State?

Kennesaw State accepts about 79% of applicants out of roughly 33,513 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Kennesaw State test-optional?

No. Kennesaw State requires SAT or ACT scores for Fall 2027 applicants.

What is the graduation rate at Kennesaw State?

About 50% of students at Kennesaw State graduate within six years, and 22% finish in four years. 80% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Kennesaw State look for in applicants?

Kennesaw State rates GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Kennesaw State a public or private school, and where is it located?

Kennesaw State is a public institution located in Kennesaw, Georgia.

What are the most popular majors at Kennesaw State?

The largest undergraduate majors at Kennesaw State by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Mechanical Engineering. The school awards about 2,208 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Kennesaw State safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Kennesaw State reported 40 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Kennesaw State?

At Kennesaw State, 13% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Kennesaw State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers