Kennesaw State University Acceptance Rate 2026: 79.4% Admit Rate, GPA, SAT, ACT & Admissions Guide
Direct answer: Kennesaw State Universityโs 2025โ2026 Common Data Set lists 33,513 first-year applicants and 26,622 admitted students. That calculates to an estimated 79.4% acceptance rate for 2026 planning.
KSU is accessible for many prepared applicants, but it is not open admission. The real filter is whether your file meets the Required High School Curriculum, GPA and test-score rules, transcript deadline and any program-specific requirements.
This guide gives quick answers first: acceptance rate, GPA, SAT, ACT, test policy, freshman curriculum, Architecture requirements, deadlines, application materials, cost, video help, FAQs and official KSU links.
Calculated from 26,622 admits out of 33,513 first-year applicants.
CDS average GPA for enrolled first-time, first-year students who submitted GPA.
CDS SAT composite 25thโ75th percentile for enrolled score submitters.
CDS ACT composite 25thโ75th percentile for enrolled score submitters.
Quick navigation for KSU applicants
Kennesaw State University acceptance rate 2026: clear answer first
| Searcher question | Direct answer | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Kennesaw State acceptance rate 2026 | About 79.4%, calculated from the latest KSU Common Data Set. | KSU is accessible, but you still need required curriculum, GPA and testing documents. |
| How many applied? | 33,513 first-time, first-year applicants. | KSU is a large, high-demand public university. |
| How many were admitted? | 26,622 admitted students. | Admission is realistic for students who meet the academic rules. |
| How many enrolled? | 9,537 first-year enrollees. | KSU builds a very large incoming class. |
| Waitlist? | KSU CDS reports no waitlist policy for Fall 2025. | Your application outcome is not usually a waitlist-style process. |
| Main admission focus | Academic GPA and standardized test scores are marked very important in CDS. | Focus on the numbers and documents KSU actually uses, not filler essays. |
Kennesaw State University deadlines: Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Fall 2027
KSU deadlines are application and document deadlines. That means your transcript and official scores must arrive on time, not just the online application.
| Applicant term | Application opens | Application deadline | Document deadline | Classes begin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 Priority | August 1, 2025 | November 3, 2025 | November 3, 2025 | August 24, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 Regular | August 1, 2025 | July 1, 2026 | July 1, 2026 | August 24, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 | August 1, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | December 1, 2026 | January 11, 2027 |
| Summer 2027 | August 1, 2026 | May 3, 2027 | May 3, 2027 | May 17, 2027 |
| Fall 2027 Priority | August 1, 2026 | November 2, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | August 23, 2027 |
| Fall 2027 Regular | August 1, 2026 | July 1, 2027 | July 1, 2027 | August 23, 2027 |
Kennesaw State GPA, SAT and ACT: what is actually competitive?
GPA answer
Average enrolled GPA: 3.48. KSU recalculates high school GPA using the 17 Required High School Curriculum units.
SAT answer
CDS middle 50% SAT composite: 1010โ1210. KSU minimums on the freshman page are 500 ERW and 490 Math.
ACT answer
CDS middle 50% ACT composite: 19โ26. KSU minimums on the freshman page are 18 English/Reading and 18 Math.
Score policy answer
Check current term rules. KSUโs current freshman page says official SAT or ACT scores are required for first-year applicants.
| Academic factor | KSU detail | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Average GPA | CDS reports average high school GPA of 3.48 for enrolled first-year students who submitted GPA. | A GPA near or above this is stronger; below it needs solid test scores and complete curriculum. |
| GPA distribution | Over half of enrolled students had GPA 3.50 or higher. | Do not treat the admit rate as automatic if your grades are weak. |
| SAT middle 50% | 1010โ1210 composite; ERW 510โ620; Math 480โ610. | Scores above the middle range can strengthen academic readiness. |
| ACT middle 50% | 19โ26 composite; ACT Math 17โ25; ACT English 17โ25. | Make sure section scores meet minimums, not only composite score. |
| SAT code | 5359 | Use this code when sending official SAT scores. |
| ACT code | 0833 | Use this code when sending official ACT scores. |
KSU Required High School Curriculum: 17 units that matter
KSU recalculates GPA using the Required High School Curriculum. This is one of the most important parts of the application because it controls whether your transcript meets the baseline academic pattern.
| Course area | Required units | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 units | Complete four years of high-school English or approved equivalent. |
| Mathematics | 4 units | Keep math grades strong; low math scores can block admission even when GPA is okay. |
| Science | 4 units, with lab science expectations in CDS | Use biology, chemistry, physics or other approved lab sciences where available. |
| Social Science | 3 units | Complete approved social science/history courses. |
| Language / ASL / Computer Science | 2 units of the same foreign language, American Sign Language or USG-approved Computer Science | Do not mix unrelated one-year courses if the requirement asks for sequence. |
| Total RHSC | 17 units | Check missing courses before senior year because KSU uses these courses for admission GPA calculation. |
Architecture applicants: higher KSU requirements
Architecture is not the same as general freshman admission. KSU says the Architecture degree program has higher admission requirements and limited seats.
| Architecture requirement | Minimum | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| High school GPA | 3.0 minimum | Meet or exceed the minimum with strong math, design or technical coursework where possible. |
| SAT ERW | 500 | Make sure your official SAT section score meets the requirement. |
| SAT Math | 570 | Architecture math minimum is higher than general freshman minimum. |
| ACT English or Reading | 18 | One of these section scores can satisfy the English/Reading piece. |
| ACT Math | 23 | Architecture ACT Math minimum is higher than general freshman minimum. |
| Suggested timing | January 31 for fall Architecture admission documents | Apply and submit documents early because seats are limited. |
Kennesaw State application materials: required vs useful
Core materials
What matters most in review
| Application part | KSU importance | What applicants should do |
|---|---|---|
| Academic GPA | Marked very important in CDS. | Focus on RHSC grades and senior-year performance. |
| Standardized test scores | Marked very important in CDS and required under current freshman testing rules. | Send official scores early and confirm receipt. |
| Course distribution | 17 academic units required. | Fix missing English, math, science, social science or language/CS units before applying. |
| Application essay | CDS marks it as not considered for general admission. | Do not rely on essay to overcome missing required courses or scores. |
| Recommendations | CDS marks recommendations as not considered for general admission. | Focus on required transcript and official score documents. |
| Level of interest | CDS marks it as not considered. | Visiting campus is helpful for fit, but it is not a substitute for requirements. |
Kennesaw State cost and aid: 2026โ2027 quick planning
2026โ27 estimated undergraduate on-campus cost of attendance.
2026โ27 estimated undergraduate on-campus cost of attendance.
Estimated 15-hour tuition for fall and spring.
Estimated 15-hour tuition for fall and spring.
| 2026โ27 cost item | In-state on campus | Out-of-state on campus | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition, 15 hours | $5,760 | $21,660 | Tuition differs sharply by residency. |
| Fees | $1,188 | $1,188 | Required fee estimate. |
| Books and supplies | $1,500 | $1,500 | Budget even if actual textbook costs vary. |
| Food | $5,016 | $5,016 | Included in the on-campus estimate. |
| Housing | $9,332 | $9,332 | On-campus housing estimate. |
| Total estimated cost | $29,077 | $44,977 | Use as planning estimate before financial aid. |
Kennesaw State University video guide
Use this video as a practical cost-and-fit check. KSU is a large public university, so applicants should understand tuition, housing, campus location, degree options and document rules before applying.
KSU application checklist: scan before you submit
Common mistakes that hurt KSU applicants
- Only looking at the 79.4% acceptance rate: The rate is high, but KSU still requires academic rules and documents.
- Missing RHSC units: KSU recalculates GPA using 17 Required High School Curriculum units.
- Assuming essay will fix missing requirements: CDS marks essay as not considered for general admission.
- Sending scores late: Official SAT/ACT scores must be received by the deadline when required.
- Ignoring section minimums: SAT/ACT section scores matter, not only total/composite score.
- Applying to Architecture with general KSU standards: Architecture requires stronger math and limited-seat timing.
- Not checking applicant status: You need to confirm transcript and score receipt after applying.
- Using the wrong residency budget: In-state and out-of-state costs differ by thousands of dollars.
- Waiting until July deadline: Earlier application gives more time to fix missing documents.
- Not checking updated testing policy: KSU testing rules can differ by term, so verify the exact requirement before applying.
Official KSU links and sources
The key official details are summarized above. Use these links near submission time to confirm current requirements, deadlines, costs and portal steps.
Official applicant, admit, enrolled, GPA, SAT, ACT, waitlist, admission-factor and cost data.
Official RHSC units, test requirements, SAT/ACT codes, superscoring and Architecture requirements.
Application opens, application deadlines, document deadlines and class start dates by term.
Application path, fee information, freshman and transfer-freshman entry guidance.
Applicant status instructions, NetID and KSU ID lookup after applying.
Architecture GPA, SAT and ACT requirements and limited-seat admission notes.
Official 2026โ2027 in-state, out-of-state, on-campus, off-campus and living-with-parent estimates.
Scholarships, grants, FAFSA information, financial aid policies and aid notifications.
FAQs about Kennesaw State University acceptance rate 2026
What is the Kennesaw State University acceptance rate for 2026?
KSUโs 2025โ2026 Common Data Set lists 33,513 applicants and 26,622 admitted students. That calculates to about a 79.4% acceptance rate.
Is Kennesaw State University hard to get into?
KSU is moderately accessible, but it is not open admission. Applicants must meet curriculum, GPA, testing and document requirements.
What GPA do you need for Kennesaw State University?
KSU recalculates high school GPA using the 17 Required High School Curriculum units. The CDS reports a 3.48 average high school GPA among enrolled first-year students who submitted GPA.
What SAT score is required for Kennesaw State University?
KSUโs freshman page lists minimum SAT section scores of 500 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 490 Math. The enrolled-student SAT composite middle 50% in CDS is 1010โ1210.
What ACT score is required for KSU?
KSUโs freshman page lists minimum ACT scores of 18 English or Reading and 18 Math. The enrolled-student ACT composite middle 50% in CDS is 19โ26.
Is KSU test optional?
Applicants should verify current term rules. KSUโs current freshman requirements page says first-year applicants are required to submit official SAT or ACT scores.
What are KSU application deadlines?
For Fall 2027, KSU lists priority deadline November 2, 2026, document deadline November 16, 2026, regular deadline July 1, 2027 and classes beginning August 23, 2027.
What high school courses does KSU require?
KSU requires 17 RHSC units: 4 English, 4 Math, 4 Science, 3 Social Science and 2 of the same Foreign Language, American Sign Language or USG-approved Computer Science.
Does Architecture have different KSU requirements?
Yes. Architecture requires a 3.0 high school GPA, SAT 500 ERW and 570 Math or ACT English/Reading 18 and Math 23. Seats are limited.
How can I improve my KSU application?
Complete all RHSC units, keep a strong recalculated GPA, meet SAT/ACT section minimums, send official scores by deadline, check Architecture rules if relevant and confirm all documents in your applicant status portal.