Kennesaw State University
#1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $57,552 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,048 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 69% B-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia.
Every $1 spent returns $24.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,385,152.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Earnings 41% above the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $24.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.1%
- Top 88%
- Patents
- 11
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 5
- Downstream influence
Why Kennesaw State University Matters
Kennesaw State University is a public research university in Kennesaw, GA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 41,254
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Health Professions
Why students choose Kennesaw State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 69% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1000–1220. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,048 a year after grants and scholarships — 12% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $57,552 ten years after enrolling — 41% above the typical college, against $23,833 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 66% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.63 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 41,000 students, Kennesaw State University serves a diverse community that thrives on collaboration and ambition. It's a solid choice for those interested in practical fields like Business and Marketing, Engineering, Computer Science, Psychology, and Health Professions. The acceptance rate of 69% makes it accessible for a wide range of applicants, and its vibrant campus life appeals to students looking for a well-rounded college experience.
Once you graduate, the numbers suggest a promising future. Graduates report average earnings of about $57,552 within ten years of completing their degree. This can be especially relevant for students considering their return on investment. Kennesaw State is also relatively affordable, with a net price of $15,048 after aid. For many, this means the financial burden post-graduation is manageable, especially considering that about 38% of students receive Pell Grants, which can help cover costs.
Looking at the practicalities, students here tend to thrive in an environment that balances academic rigor with community support. The median debt of $23,833 is something to keep in mind, but many find that the supportive services and resources available help them navigate their college journey effectively. Overall, Kennesaw State University is a great fit for students who value both academic and personal growth while preparing for a successful career.
Rankings
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Georgia
- #2 Best Communications Colleges in Georgia
- #4 Best Colleges in Georgia
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Georgia
- #4 Best Computer Science Colleges in Georgia
- #4 Best Data Science Colleges in Georgia
- #5 Best Bachelor's Programs in Georgia
- #5 Best Master's Programs in Georgia
Can I Get In?
How selective Kennesaw State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kennesaw State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Kennesaw, Georgia, Kennesaw State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,113. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 69%
- Retention Rate
- 77%
- SAT Average
- 1113
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 1000–1220
- ACT Range
- 19–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 63%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,711
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 27%
- Applicants
- 21,106
- Admitted
- 14,320
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Kennesaw State University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 38% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 38%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 38%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 16%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 54% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kennesaw State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kennesaw State University is $17,736, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,048. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,235 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,833 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,808
- Out-of-State
- $17,736
- Avg Net Price
- $15,048
- Median Debt
- $23,833
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 33%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,235
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,661
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,185
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,309
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Kennesaw State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Kennesaw State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $57,552, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,863
- 8 Years
- $52,536
- 10 Years
- $57,552
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (794)
- 18%
- 100% (794)
- 18%
- 100% (794)
- 18%
- 100% (794)
- 18%
How Kennesaw Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Kennesaw State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Kennesaw State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,048/year ($60,192 total). Graduates earn $57,552 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,445,344 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,385,152 (24.0× your investment). The median debt is $23,833, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $60,192
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,445,344
- Net Return
- $1,385,152
- ROI Multiple
- 24.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,048
- Median Debt
- $23,833
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Kennesaw State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kennesaw State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.18%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $99,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.18%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 23.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $135,729
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Kennesaw State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 11 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.14%
- Top 88% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 11
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 5
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.22%
- Bottom-20% families
Top Programs
The fields Kennesaw State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 18% $74,154 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 11% $81,390 early-career
- Engineering 11% $76,827 early-career
- Health Professions 9% $75,595 early-career
- Psychology 8% $35,498 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $38,476 early-career
- Communications 5% $43,569 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $42,031 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Kennesaw State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Kennesaw State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Kennesaw, Georgia, Kennesaw State University offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 69% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,113. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Kennesaw State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Kennesaw State University is $17,736, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,048. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,235 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,833 in federal student loans.
Is Kennesaw State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $57,552, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Kennesaw State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Kennesaw State University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.18%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 23.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $99,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Kennesaw State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kennesaw State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Kennesaw State University offer Early Decision?
No. Kennesaw State University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Kennesaw State University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 54% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Kennesaw State University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Kennesaw State University?
About 38% of admitted students choose to enroll at Kennesaw State University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Kennesaw State University.
- University of North TexasDenton, TX · Close peer60% grad $57,010 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of HoustonHouston, TX · Close peer65% grad $62,377 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of ArizonaTucson, AZ · Close peer67% grad $59,979 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX · Close peer56% grad $56,906 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale, AZ · Close peer29% grad $62,668 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN · Close peer81% grad $63,742 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Kennesaw State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Kennesaw State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.63, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note