Kennesaw State University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on March 30, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~69%
- Middle 50% ACT: 22
- Middle 50% SAT: 1111
- Average GPA: 3.48
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Kennesaw State University at a Glance
Kennesaw State is one of those schools that quietly delivers strong value — especially for Georgia families. Admission is accessible, and the real “money lever” isn’t institutional merit — it’s state programs like HOPE and Zell Miller. If your student hits those GPA thresholds, the price can drop fast without needing perfect scores or chasing competitive scholarships.
For out-of-state students, though, the story is different. KSU doesn’t lean heavily on large automatic merit packages, so affordability depends more on overall cost than big discounts. This is a great fit for students who want a growing campus, strong programs in business, tech, and engineering, and a practical path to a degree — just go in understanding where the real savings come from.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Kennesaw State University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 22; SAT: 1111.
Average net price? About $17,566/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in ACM.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Kennesaw State University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $6,948 | $22,278 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $10,898 | $10,898 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $17,846 | $33,176 |
Average Federal Net Price: $17,566 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
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.