Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Kennesaw State University #24 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Kennesaw State University in the 60.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Kennesaw State University #513 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Kennesaw State University delivers stronger-than-expected graduate earnings relative to its cost and student mix, a combination that places it among the higher-performing institutions in the Azimuth coverage set for return on investment. Its composite ranking reflects consistent performance across earnings outcomes and affordability, making it a financially grounded option for students in Georgia and beyond.
Azimuth ranks Kennesaw State University #24 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Kennesaw, GA, Kennesaw State University enrolls roughly 41,254 undergraduates. Retention stands at 76.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 52.2%, figures that reflect the university's scale and its role as a broad-access institution serving the northern Atlanta metro. The composite is shaped by a strong mobility profile. Kennesaw State University sits in the 99.3 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, driven by meaningful enrollment of students from lower-income and first-generation backgrounds — 37.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.9% are first-generation college students. The university admits about 69.2% of applicants, maintaining broad access while channeling graduates into careers anchored by its Business-leaning program mix. Affordability adds further support, with Kennesaw State University sitting in the 69.1 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Return on investment is the weaker pillar in the composite — Kennesaw State University sits in the 65.4 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 60.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median earnings four years after enrollment are $68,306, which sit below the $65,228 median at comparable institutions — though those earnings still represent meaningful returns relative to the no-degree-equivalent baseline of $30,928 in GA.
Kennesaw State University's published cost of attendance is $24,008, but need-based aid meaningfully reduces what most families pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $12,235, while middle-income families pay around $15,185, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,309. Azimuth ranks Kennesaw State University #441 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Georgia's state merit aid programs — including the Hope Scholarships and the Zell Miller Scholarship — provide meaningful additional support for qualifying Georgia residents, layering on top of federal and institutional need-based aid. Work-study is also available as part of the aid structure, per the financial aid page. Together, these sources can substantially narrow the gap between published cost and what students actually pay, particularly for in-state families who qualify for merit aid. The net price illusion is worth understanding here: sticker price and net price can diverge considerably depending on a student's financial and academic profile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,833, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $68,306, median federal debt of $23,833 projects to a monthly payment of about $269 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Kennesaw State University is a strong fit for students in GA and the broader Southeast who want a large public university grounded in Business and applied professional fields, with a clear path to solid post-graduation earnings without the cost of higher-priced private institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $68,306, placing Kennesaw State University in the 72.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Kennesaw State University in the 60.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The access profile is broad. 37.7% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.9% are first-generation college students — a profile that makes Kennesaw State a realistic option for cost-sensitive families who still want a research-oriented public university experience. Median student debt at graduation is $23,833, a figure that keeps long-term repayment manageable relative to the earnings trajectory most graduates see. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Business and adjacent professional fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while those drawn to highly specialized research or liberal arts programs may find a narrower fit. Students who plan to stay and work in GA or the Southeast will benefit most from Kennesaw State's strong regional employer relationships and labor-market alignment.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Kennesaw State University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Kennesaw State University's published cost of attendance is $24,008, but need-based aid meaningfully reduces what most families pay. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $12,235, while middle-income families pay around $15,185, and higher-income families pay approximately $19,309.
Azimuth ranks Kennesaw State University #441 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Georgia's state merit aid programs — including the [Hope Scholarships](https://www.kennesaw.edu/financial-aid/current-students/financial-aid/hope-scholarships/index.php) and the Zell Miller Scholarship — provide meaningful additional support for qualifying Georgia residents, layering on top of federal and institutional need-based aid. Work-study is also available as part of the aid structure, per the [financial aid page](https://www.kennesaw.edu/financial-aid/).
Together, these sources can substantially narrow the gap between published cost and what students actually pay, particularly for in-state families who qualify for merit aid. The [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) is worth understanding here: sticker price and net price can diverge considerably depending on a student's financial and academic profile.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,833, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $19,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $68,306, median federal debt of $23,833 projects to a monthly payment of about $269 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Kennesaw State University earn median earnings of $68,306 four years after enrollment, placing Kennesaw State University in the 72.0 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure sits below the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 60.9 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures represent lifetime returns relative to GA's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $30,928, the state median earnings of working adults in their late twenties to mid-thirties with only a high school credential.
Kennesaw State University's degree output is anchored by Business, which accounts for 19% of graduates, followed by Engineering at 12% and Education at 6%. Mechanical Engineering combines large cohort scale with solid earnings, making it a key contributor to the institution's overall return profile.
Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #139 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), with 448 graduates earning median earnings of $50,645 — 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 290 students with median earnings of $70,708, and Azimuth ranks Mechanical Engineering #135 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 259 graduates earning $88,860.
Teacher Education and Biology, General round out the top programs, with Azimuth ranking them #62 and #163 respectively for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Brenau University Higher acceptance rate (17.8 percentage points higher) and located 47 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 87% | $54,003 | Compare |
Covenant College Higher acceptance rate (12.6 percentage points higher) and located 78 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 82% | $50,412 | Compare |
Piedmont University Higher acceptance rate (23.7 percentage points higher) and located 70 miles away; similar graduate earnings | GA | 93% | $49,130 | Compare |
Georgia College & State University Higher acceptance rate (18.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | GA | 88% | $58,140 | Compare |
Christian Brothers University Higher acceptance rate (19.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | TN | 88% | $57,478 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arizona State University Digital Immersion Similar quality tier (#38 ranked) | AZ | 67% | $62,668 | #38 | Compare |
San Diego State University Similar quality tier (#41 ranked) | CA | 36% | $64,909 | #41 | Compare |
University Of Central Florida Similar quality tier in Southeast (#37 ranked) | FL | 40% | $58,308 | #37 | Compare |
Georgia Institute Of Technology-Main Campus Similar quality tier in Southeast (#43 ranked) | GA | 14% | $102,772 | #43 | Compare |
University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Similar quality tier (#35 ranked) | IL | 42% | $81,054 | #35 | Compare |
Computer Engineering
116 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
103 graduates
Computer Science
200 graduates
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
38 graduates
Construction Management
117 graduates
Kennesaw State University's program mix is anchored in Business, which accounts for 19% of degree output — a concentration consistent with the university's applied-professional identity. Engineering represents 12% of graduates and Education accounts for 6%, rounding out a portfolio that leans toward workforce-aligned fields.
Across Psychology, General (448 graduates), Business Administration (290 graduates), and Mechanical Engineering (259 graduates), the university channels large cohorts into fields with direct employer pipelines in the Atlanta metro and across Georgia. The highest four-year earnings at Kennesaw State University come from Mechanical Engineering, where graduates earn median earnings of $88,860 four years after enrollment — Azimuth ranks the program #135 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Nursing follows with median earnings of $87,935, and Azimuth ranks the program #153 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The Artificial Intelligence program graduates 229 students annually and earns median earnings of $83,249, while The Accounting program graduates 232 students with median earnings of $77,710.
These programs reflect the university's depth in health sciences and applied technology, where graduates enter the workforce directly and four-year earnings capture real labor-market outcomes. Teacher Education and Biology, General represent larger cohorts — 256 and 246 graduates respectively — with median earnings of $51,386 and $57,435.
These are high-mobility pathways where graduates move into accounting, finance, and management roles across a diversified regional economy. The [supply-demand map for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Kennesaw State University's business-heavy program portfolio aligns with national hiring patterns, and the [program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/) explains how Azimuth evaluates individual programs. ```
