Kennesaw State University

Updated August 7, 2020

Kennesaw State University is a public institution residing in Kennesaw, Georgia. It is part of the University System of Georgia and it features a suburban campus of 384 acres. It is the third largest university in the state of Georgia. Kennesaw State University was established in 1963 as Cobb County Junior College. It officially opened its doors in 1966 and was named Kennesaw Junior College. It gained full accreditation in 1968. In 1976, the school became a four-year institution and changed its name to Kennesaw College. In 1985, the college began offering graduate degree programs and its name was changed to Kennesaw State College in 1988. It became Kennesaw State University in 1996. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the university added numerous schools of education and expanded its campus programs. In 2015, Kennesaw State University merged with Southern Polytechnic State University to create a strong, comprehensive institution. Today, the university is home to more than 33,000 students and it offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees through 13 colleges of education. Additionally, it offers more than 70 online degree programs and over 500 online courses. Kennesaw State University is dedicated to becoming a world-class educational institution situated to expand its academic and research activities and develop its scope at the local, state, and national levels.

Accreditation Details

Institutional Accreditation:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor's, master's, doctorate, and specialist degrees.
Specialized Accreditation for Online Information Technology Programs
Computing Accreditation Commission of the international Accreditation Board for Engineers and Technology.

Application Requirements

Undergraduate:

Complete Application for Admission
Pay the non-refundable application processing fee of $40 or submit the proper forms for the application fee waiver
Submit official transcripts from all secondary schools and postsecondary institutions
Submit official scores from standardized examinations, such as the ACT or SAT

Graduate:

Complete Online Graduate Application
Submit the non-refundable application processing fee of $60
Submit official transcripts form every college or university attended.
A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for all graduate programs.
Complete additional requirements of specific colleges and/or programs.

Tuition

Undergraduate

The tuition and fees vary by credit hour and residency. The estimated total tuition and fees for resident students completing two credits is $1,030.00 per semester. The maximum amount of credits per semester is 15 and the estimated tuition and fees is $3,663.00. The estimated total tuition and fees for non-resident students completing two credits is $1,478.87 per semester. The estimated total tuition and fees for non-resident students taking 15 credits is $10,391.00. The student fees vary by the amount of credit hours, four hours or less pay a certain amount and five hours or more pay a different amount. Examples of student fees include activity, athletic, health, parking, technology, and transportation.

Graduate

The estimated total tuition and fees for graduate resident students taking two credits is $1,136. For graduate students, 12 is the maximum amount of credits allowed per semester. The tuition for 12 credits is $4,391.00. For non-resident graduate students, tuition is $1,873.00 for two credits and $13,236.00 for 12 credits. Like undergraduate students, the student fees vary by the amount of credit hours enrolled.

Online

The tuition for online programs does not vary by resident and non-resident. The estimated total tuition and fees for undergraduate students taking two credits of online courses is $759.66. For 15 credits it is $4,515.00. For graduate students taking two credits it is $1,021.00 and $5,243.00 for 12 credits. The student fees for online students include a special instructional fee and a technology fee. The fees vary by four hours or less and five hours or more.

Financial Aid

Kennesaw State University participates in many difference financial assistance programs to help students meet the costs of their high education.

Grants

Grants are financial awards that do not require repayment. KSU participates in state and federal grant programs. The federal programs include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and Federal TEACH Grant.

Scholarships

The major scholarship program offered by Kennesaw State University as well as many other colleges and universities throughout the state, is the HOPE program. The HOPE is a merit based scholarship program available to those who are residents of the state of Georgia and have met the requirements set by the University System of Georgia. The Zell Miller is another state-wide merit based scholarship program for high performing students. KSU also participates in a variety of need-based, merit-based, and external scholarships.

Loans

Kennesaw State University also participates in various loan programs, including Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), Graduate PLUS Loan, and Federal Consolidation Loans. KSU also accepts alternative and private loans and emergency loans.

Work Study

Kennesaw State University participates in the Federal Work-Study program that provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students who show financial need. Students have the opportunity to earn money by working on campus to help pay for their college education.

Online Degrees Available

Kennesaw State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology through the Department of Information Technology. It is designed to meet the high demand for high quality education in information technology. The degree program features courses that are foundation to the field of information technology. It is flexible to enable students to tailor their courses to meet their interests and needs. The program requires a total of 121 credit hours, including general education, information technology major courses, concentration courses, and free electives. All courses are offered online. The major courses include database systems, hardware and software concepts, electronic commerce, data communication and networks, information technology policy and law, information security administration, and management of information technology. Students must also complete a capstone component in information technology. The program requires students to select a concentration in enterprise systems, health information technology, information assurance and security, and mobile and web development. All concentrations have specific course requirements, including special topics in the area. Kennesaw State University also offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology and a Master of Information Technology. The online programs are held to the same learning standards as campus-based programs and instructors are committed to providing various services and resources to help students succeed.