Kennesaw, GA · Private University
Is Kennesaw State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$57,552
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$5,786
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,040
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$68,160
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.38x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
48.1%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,833
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,972
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Kennesaw State University graduates earn $12,552 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Kennesaw State University ranked by graduate earnings
88 graduates
91 graduates
90 graduates
267 graduates
126 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Kennesaw State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Kennesaw State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management: $99,167) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $25,182) is $73,985/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementBest ROI | $99,167 | 5.8x |
| Construction Management | $90,810 | 5.3x |
| Computer Engineering | $87,629 | 5.1x |
| Computer Science | $85,553 | 5.0x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $80,663 | 4.7x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $79,847 | 4.7x |
| Engineering Technology, General | $78,990 | 4.6x |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $77,423 | 4.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $76,747 | 4.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,599 | 4.4x |
| Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering(1yr data) | $72,645 | 4.3x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $72,562 | 4.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $71,422 | 4.2x |
| Information Science/Studies | $70,361 | 4.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $69,521 | 4.1x |
| Computer Programming | $67,919 | 4.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $65,652 | 3.9x |
| Architecture | $64,348 | 3.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $63,121 | 3.7x |
| Systems Engineering(1yr data) | $62,015 | 3.6x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering(1yr data) | $61,701 | 3.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $60,758 | 3.6x |
| International Business | $58,674 | 3.4x |
| Geography and Cartography | $55,516 | 3.3x |
| Marketing | $55,121 | 3.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,098 | 3.2x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts(1yr data) | $51,772 | 3.0x |
| Chemistry | $51,039 | 3.0x |
| Applied Mathematics(1yr data) | $50,007 | 2.9x |
| Biology, General | $48,140 | 2.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $47,926 | 2.8x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $47,924 | 2.8x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $47,459 | 2.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,346 | 2.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $47,255 | 2.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $46,290 | 2.7x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $44,226 | 2.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $44,113 | 2.6x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $42,922 | 2.5x |
| Psychology, General | $42,774 | 2.5x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $42,175 | 2.5x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication(1yr data) | $41,460 | 2.4x |
| Sociology | $40,546 | 2.4x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $39,557 | 2.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,341 | 2.3x |
| Human Services, General | $37,958 | 2.2x |
| History | $37,170 | 2.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,178 | 2.1x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management(1yr data) | $35,039 | 2.1x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $34,618 | 2.0x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication(1yr data) | $31,994 | 1.9x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $30,792 | 1.8x |
| Anthropology | $28,514 | 1.7x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $25,839 | 1.5x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $25,182 | 1.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Kennesaw State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $57,552 10 years after starting, $12,552 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.