Kennesaw State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit (if any) vs. competitive awards at KSU
- Hidden-gem scholarships and OOS tuition waivers
- Honors perks and how to stack awards with HOPE/Zell
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Middle 50% ACT: 19–22
- Middle 50% SAT: 1010–1210
- Average HS GPA: 3.48
Source: College Board BigFuture (accept rate & score ranges, latest) and KSU Common Data Set 2024–25 (average GPA).
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
KSU at a Glance
Last verified: Oct 3, 2025
If you’re a first-gen parent, this guide breaks KSU’s costs and scholarships into real-world steps—what’s automatic (if any), what’s competitive, and how HOPE/Zell can stack with KSU awards and OOS tuition waivers.
Use this alongside our Georgia State Aid Guide, then come back here to map KSU’s options line-by-line.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes for 2025–2026: first-year applicants through Summer 2026 may be admitted without SAT/ACT if GPA ≥ 3.2. Scores are considered if submitted (and required below 3.2).
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT 19–22; SAT 1010–1210 for most admitted students.
What’s the average net price? ~$17,566/year (latest IPEDS). Net price varies by income. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? Yes: KSU participates in the Academic Common Market (program-specific) and offers multiple Out-of-State Tuition Waivers that reduce charges to in-state for eligible students.
https://campus.kennesaw.edu/current-students/financial-aid/student-resources/cost-of-attendance.php
https://www.kennesaw.edu/honors/student-resources/scholarships/index.php
https://www.kennesaw.edu/honors/student-resources/tuition-waiver.php
https://collegereadyparent.org/kennesaw-state-university-scholarships/
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/institution-profile/486840
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/kennesaw-state-university/tuition-and-costs
https://www.kennesaw.edu/admissions/undergraduate/admission-requirements/freshman.php
💰 Cost of Attendance at Kennesaw State University (2025–2026)
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $6,948 | $22,278 |
| Housing & Meals (typical freshman) | $10,898 | $10,898 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $17,846 | $33,176 |
This table shows the two biggest direct charges you’ll pay to KSU — tuition and standard freshman housing with a required meal plan. The official cost of attendance also estimates Books & Supplies ≈ $1,500, Transportation ≈ $3,045, Personal Expenses ≈ $3,970, and small loan fees. These aren’t billed by KSU but still factor into financial aid eligibility.
Notes: Based on FY2026 per-semester rates (15 credits): in-state ≈ $3,474; out-of-state ≈ $11,139. Housing (double occupancy) ≈ $3,324/semester; meal plan (7-day) ≈ $2,125/semester. Rounded to nearest $10 for consistency with CRP formatting.
FAQ — Cost of Attendance at Kennesaw State University
Does KSU charge the same tuition for all majors?
Yes. Most undergraduate programs follow the same tuition structure, though some specialized courses (especially in engineering or lab sciences) may include small additional fees.
What if my student lives off campus?
Students who live off campus will only be billed for tuition and fees by KSU. Housing and meal costs will vary depending on rent, utilities, and food choices, but they generally mirror on-campus estimates for budgeting purposes.
Does Kennesaw State participate in any tuition reciprocity programs?
Yes. KSU participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM) for certain majors and offers multiple Out-of-State Tuition Waivers, including those for Honors students and select academic or athletic achievements.
How accurate is the “average net price” number?
The $17,566 figure comes from federal data and reflects what families actually paid after grants and scholarships. It’s an average—students with higher GPAs or lower family incomes often pay less.
Are housing and meal plan costs the same for every dorm?
No. KSU’s residence halls and meal plan options vary by campus (Kennesaw vs. Marietta) and room type. The table above uses the standard double-occupancy room and mid-tier meal plan as the baseline.
Do these totals include books and transportation?
No. Books, transportation, and personal expenses are indirect costs and aren’t billed by KSU. They’re included in the federal “cost of attendance” to calculate financial aid eligibility, but families pay those separately.
https://campus.kennesaw.edu/current-students/financial-aid/student-resources/cost-of-attendance.php
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/kennesaw-state-university/tuition-and-costs
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/institution-profile/486840
https://www.kennesaw.edu/tuition-classification/out-of-state-waivers.php
https://www.kennesaw.edu/honors/student-resources/tuition-waiver.php
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
https://www.kennesaw.edu/honors/student-resources/scholarships/index.php
https://www.kennesaw.edu/tuition-classification/out-of-state-waivers.php
https://campus.kennesaw.edu/current-students/financial-aid/student-resources/cost-of-attendance.php
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
Kennesaw State offers scholarships through its Office of Scholarships, but none are guaranteed by GPA or test score alone. All institutional awards are competitive, meaning students must apply. Awards vary by donor, department, and eligibility criteria.
No university-wide competitive scholarship tiers or award tables are publicly available.
https://www.kennesaw.edu/honors/student-resources/scholarships/index.php
https://campus.kennesaw.edu/current-students/financial-aid/student-resources/cost-of-attendance.php
https://collegereadyparent.org/kennesaw-state-university-scholarships/
🎖 Honors College
Kennesaw State’s Journey Honors College is designed for motivated students who want smaller classes, faculty mentorship, and special opportunities. Admission is competitive and requires a separate application, essays, and strong academic performance. Many named scholarships are tied to specific Honors cohorts or donors.
High school GPA in the 3.6–4.0 range*, rigorous coursework (AP/IB/dual enrollment), plus leadership or service. *Estimates based on past cohorts; exact cutoffs vary.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Emerging Global Scholars (PEGS) | Renewable scholarship + international trip funding | Incoming Honors freshmen; strong academics; leadership and global interest | Yes | Yes (4 years) | High-achieving, globally-minded students with leadership experience | Feb 1 priority / Mar 1 final |
| Wellstar Tom & Betty Phillips Elite Honors Nursing Scholars | $2,000/yr | Honors Nursing students; strong academics; commitment to nursing | Yes | Yes (4 years) | Top nursing admits with leadership/service backgrounds | Feb 1 priority / Mar 1 final |
| Ancient & Modern Classics Cohort | $1,000 (one-time) | Honors students in classical studies & humanities; interest in international travel | Yes | No | Strong humanities students with travel focus | Feb 1 priority / Mar 1 final |
| Bobbie Bailey Foundation Honors Scholarships | Varies ($1,000–$5,000) | Honors students in Computing & Software Engineering or Engineering | Yes | Varies | Engineering/tech students in Honors with strong academic record | Mar 1 |
| Lindy Radow Humanities & Social Sciences Honors Scholarship | Varies (~$1,000–$2,500) | Honors students in Radow College (Humanities/Social Sciences) | Yes | Varies | HSS majors in Honors with donor alignment | Mar 1 |
Other Honors Opportunities (not tied to named awards):
- Donor & Departmental Awards — Honors students often receive priority for $500–$5,000 scholarships through Scholarship Universe.
- National Fellowship Guidance — Advising for Rhodes, Truman, Fulbright, Goldwater, and other external fellowships.
- Study Abroad & Research Support — Competitive stipends for projects or international study.
FAQ
How selective is KSU’s Honors College?
Admission is competitive: most freshmen accepted had GPAs in the 3.6–4.0 range with AP/IB/dual enrollment rigor, plus evidence of leadership or service. A separate application and essays are required.
What’s the difference between Honors scholarships and state aid like HOPE/Zell?
Honors scholarships are donor-funded, competitive awards on top of state aid. Many students layer HOPE/Zell with $1k–$5k Honors awards to reduce net cost further.
Do all Honors students get funding?
No. While many receive support, named scholarships are limited and competitive. However, being in Honors improves access to donor pools and fellowship advising.
When should I apply for best consideration?
The Honors priority deadline is Feb 1, with a final deadline of Mar 1. Applying early maximizes scholarship consideration.
https://www.kennesaw.edu/honors/student-resources/scholarships/index.php
https://collegereadyparent.org/kennesaw-state-university-scholarships/
⭐ College Specialty
Kennesaw State has grown into one of Georgia’s largest universities, with more than 43,000 students and a mix of practical programs that connect directly to the state’s workforce. Families looking at KSU often choose it for applied majors and strong regional pipelines rather than national prestige.
- Business (Coles College of Business) — Ranked the No. 1 Online MBA in Georgia and No. 42 nationally by U.S. News & World Report (2025). EMBA program ranked top 3 in the U.S. by CEO Magazine.
- Online Programs — KSU has nationally ranked online graduate degrees in IT, business, and engineering. Its online undergraduate business program is ranked No. 21 nationally (U.S. News, 2025).
- Engineering — Undergraduate engineering ranked No. 62 nationally among non-doctoral programs (U.S. News, 2025), with strong ABET accreditation and ties to Georgia’s construction/transportation sectors.
- Institutional Growth — Named one of the “7 Fastest-Growing Universities” in the U.S. (Statista, 2023) and among the top 3% of best campuses nationwide (Niche, 2025).
- Nursing & Health Professions — Well-established nursing program with consistently high NCLEX pass rates, feeding directly into Georgia’s healthcare system.