Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Kennesaw State University at a Glance
Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a public research university in the U.S. state of Georgia with two campuses in the Atlanta metropolitan area, one in the Kennesaw area and the other in Marietta on a combined 581 acres (235 ha) of land. The school was founded in 1963 by the Georgia Board of Regents using local bonds and a federal space-grant during a time of major Georgia economic expansion after World War II. KSU also holds classes at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Dalton State College, and in Paul…
1963
63 years old
$133M
$133.1 million (2025)
51,375
46,069 undergrad · 5,306 grad
1,004
581 acres
Identity
Is Kennesaw State University Worth It?
Kennesaw State University offers moderate value at $15,048/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $57,552, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Kennesaw State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #11 of 14 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 100 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| #2 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #3 | Florida Atlantic University | 100 | $8,752 | $56,746 |
| #4 | Utah Valley University | 94 | $6,376 | $55,486 |
| #5 | University of California-Riverside | 90 | $14,304 | $67,699 |
| #6 | University of California-Santa Cruz | 71 | $17,890 | $68,396 |
| #11 | Kennesaw State University | 48 | $15,048 | $57,552 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Kennesaw State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Kennesaw State University
The highest-earning program at Kennesaw State University is Computer Science at $65,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Kennesaw State University earns $65,300, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $24,542 in median debt vs. $27,000 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,048/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $65,300 | $65,300 | $24,542 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $63,500 | $63,500 | $29,662 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,900 | $61,900 | $21,119 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $60,200 | $60,200 | $25,645 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $60,100 | $60,100 | $23,375 |
| Construction Management | $59,300 | $59,300 | $31,125 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $58,800 | $58,800 | $24,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $58,300 | $58,300 | $28,050 |
| Engineering Technology, General | $56,900 | $56,900 | $25,534 |
| Computer Engineering | $56,500 | $56,500 | $20,092 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,800 | $55,800 | $24,922 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $55,200 | $55,200 | $25,472 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $54,900 | $54,900 | $25,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $54,500 | $54,500 | $26,000 |
| Information Science/Studies | $52,900 | $52,900 | $25,700 |
| Architecture | $50,300 | $50,300 | $31,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,600 | $46,600 | $24,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,200 | $46,200 | $24,750 |
| Mathematics | $45,800 | $45,800 | $19,750 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $45,100 | $45,100 | $21,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,400 | $40,400 | $25,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | $40,200 | $40,200 | $38,999 |
| Marketing | $40,100 | $40,100 | $22,600 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,200 | $38,200 | $23,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,200 | $38,200 | $27,000 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $37,600 | $37,600 | N/A |
| International Business | $35,700 | $35,700 | $22,625 |
| Chemistry | $35,200 | $35,200 | $24,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,700 | $33,700 | $24,363 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,600 | $33,600 | $23,624 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,300 | $33,300 | $25,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $31,800 | $31,800 | $26,250 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $30,200 | $30,200 | $26,920 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $29,900 | $29,900 | $28,000 |
| Biology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $24,780 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $25,738 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,700 | $28,700 | $22,791 |
| Human Services, General | $28,500 | $28,500 | $25,090 |
| Sociology | $27,900 | $27,900 | $24,816 |
| Psychology, General | $27,800 | $27,800 | $23,200 |
| Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other | $27,200 | $27,200 | $25,500 |
| History | $27,000 | $27,000 | $30,677 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,400 | $26,400 | $29,760 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $25,520 |
| Anthropology | $21,800 | $21,800 | $28,750 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,400 | $20,400 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in GA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Kennesaw, GA
- Student Body
- 41,254 students
- Admission Rate
- 69%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,048
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,552
- Median Student Debt
- $23,833