Kennesaw State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Kennesaw, Georgia · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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Kennesaw State University is a public university in Kennesaw, Georgia that admits about 69% of applicants, making it a moderately selective 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 52% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
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 a median SAT of 1110 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 University?
52% of enrolled students at Kennesaw State University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.48, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Kennesaw State University weight in admissions?
Kennesaw State University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
SAT and ACT scores Kennesaw State University 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.
| 25th percentile | 1010 |
| 50th percentile | 1110 |
| 75th percentile | 1210 |
| % submitting SAT | 38% |
| 25th percentile | 19 |
| 50th percentile | 22 |
| 75th percentile | 26 |
| % submitting ACT | 16% |
- • 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 class | 14.5% |
| Top 25% of class | 41.4% |
| Top 50% of class | 76.8% |
| % submitting class rank | 79.7% |
How much does Kennesaw State University 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 — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 38% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $5,700 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,030 |
| Room and board | $13,795 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $15,048 |
| Application fee | — (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Kennesaw State University
| Regular deadline | 11/1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Kennesaw State University?
These predict outcomes at Kennesaw State University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Kennesaw State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Kennesaw State University, 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 University 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
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 448 | $51,136 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 290 | $60,145 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 259 | $86,737 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 256 | $49,356 |
| Biology, General | 246 | $56,720 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 240 | $83,064 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 237 | $51,863 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 232 | $71,209 |
Is Kennesaw State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Kennesaw State University 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
What is campus life like at Kennesaw State University?
About 14% of undergraduates at Kennesaw State University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 2% of men join a fraternity and 4% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Georgia parents ask about
- Valdosta State University72% acceptance
- Georgia Southern University88% acceptance
- Georgia State University-Perimeter College91% acceptance
- Savannah College of Art and Design83% acceptance
- Spelman College25% acceptance
- Morehouse College44% acceptance
- Berry College64% acceptance
- Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus14% acceptance
Next steps for Kennesaw State University
Common questions parents ask about Kennesaw State University
What GPA do I need for Kennesaw State University?
52% of enrolled students at Kennesaw State University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.48, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Kennesaw State University 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 University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Kennesaw State University 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 University realistic for my child?
Kennesaw State University admits 69% 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 University?
Kennesaw State University accepts about 69% of applicants out of roughly 34,680 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Kennesaw State University test-optional?
Yes. Kennesaw State University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Kennesaw State University?
About 52% of students at Kennesaw State University graduate within six years. 77% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Kennesaw State University look for in applicants?
Kennesaw State University 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 University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Kennesaw State University is a public institution located in Kennesaw, Georgia.
What are the most popular majors at Kennesaw State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Kennesaw State University 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 University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Kennesaw State University 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 University?
At Kennesaw State University, 14% of undergraduates live on campus, 2% of men are in fraternities, 4% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Kennesaw State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers