Georgia State University vs Kennesaw State University
Both universities offer similar admission difficulty, with Georgia State accepting 66.78% of applicants compared to Kennesaw State's 67.85% acceptance rate. However, they differ significantly in cost and outcomes.
Cost and Value: Kennesaw State provides better affordability with in-state tuition of $5,786 versus Georgia State's $8,478. Out-of-state students also pay less at Kennesaw ($17,040 vs $23,709). Net prices are comparable at around $16,000 annually.
Academic Experience: Kennesaw State offers slightly better student attention with a 23:1 student-faculty ratio compared to Georgia State's 25:1. Georgia State maintains a marginally higher graduation rate (53.70% vs 48.10%) and both schools show similar retention rates near 79%.
Campus and Size: Georgia State enrolls 27,109 students in urban Atlanta, while Kennesaw State hosts 39,503 students in suburban Kennesaw. Both compete in NCAA Division I athletics.
Outcomes: Kennesaw State graduates earn significantly more, with median 10-year earnings of $57,552 compared to Georgia State's $47,384. However, Kennesaw graduates carry slightly higher debt loads ($23,833 vs $20,903).
Location Impact: Georgia State's Atlanta location provides extensive internship and career opportunities in a major metropolitan area, while Kennesaw offers a traditional college town experience with lower living costs.
Georgia State suits students seeking urban experiences and networking opportunities in Atlanta's business hub, while Kennesaw State fits those prioritizing affordability, smaller class sizes, and higher earning potential after graduation.
Both universities offer similar admission difficulty, with Georgia State accepting 66.78% of applicants compared to Kennesaw State's 67.85% acceptance rate. However, they differ significantly in cost and outcomes.
Cost and Value: Kennesaw State provides better affordability with in-state tuition of $5,786 versus Georgia State's $8,478. Out-of-state students also pay less at Kennesaw ($17,040 vs $23,709). Net prices are comparable at around $16,000 annually.
Academic Experience: Kennesaw State offers slightly better student attention with a 23:1 student-faculty ratio compared to Georgia State's 25:1. Georgia State maintains a marginally higher graduation rate (53.70% vs 48.10%) and both schools show similar retention rates near 79%.
Campus and Size: Georgia State enrolls 27,109 students in urban Atlanta, while Kennesaw State hosts 39,503 students in suburban Kennesaw. Both compete in NCAA Division I athletics.
Outcomes: Kennesaw State graduates earn significantly more, with median 10-year earnings of $57,552 compared to Georgia State's $47,384. However, Kennesaw graduates carry slightly higher debt loads ($23,833 vs $20,903).
Location Impact: Georgia State's Atlanta location provides extensive internship and career opportunities in a major metropolitan area, while Kennesaw offers a traditional college town experience with lower living costs.
Georgia State suits students seeking urban experiences and networking opportunities in Atlanta's business hub, while Kennesaw State fits those prioritizing affordability, smaller class sizes, and higher earning potential after graduation.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Georgia State University | Kennesaw State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 66.8% | 67.9% |
| SAT Average | 1,135 | 1,120 |
| Enrollment | 27,109 | 39,503 |
| In-State Tuition | $8,478 | $5,786 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $23,709 | $17,040 |
| Net Price | $15,931 | $16,972 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.7% | 48.1% |
| Retention Rate | 78.4% | 78.7% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $47,384 | $57,552 |
| Median Debt | $20,903 | $23,833 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Georgia State University | Kennesaw State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer Science. | $69,338 | Computer Science. | $68,499 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $63,143 | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | $67,846 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $58,260 | Engineering Technology, General. | $66,287 |
| Insurance. | $56,693 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $64,659 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | $54,331 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $63,622 |