KSU Acceptance Rate 2026: 79.4% Admit Rate, GPA, SAT, ACT & Admissions Checklist
Direct answer: Kennesaw State Universityβs latest official Common Data Set shows 33,513 first-year applicants and 26,622 admits for Fall 2025. That equals a 79.4% acceptance rate for KSU.
KSU is moderately selective, not highly selective. That means many qualified applicants can get in, but admission is not automatic. Students still need the right GPA, required high school curriculum, SAT or ACT scores, official transcripts and a complete application.
This guide gives the useful answers first: KSU acceptance rate, GPA requirement, SAT/ACT minimums, Fall 2026 deadlines, application fee, documents, transfer notes, international rules, Architecture warning, housing timing and official KSU links.
Calculated from KSU CDS: 26,622 admitted out of 33,513 applicants.
KSU CDS reports 3.48 average high school GPA for enrolled first-year students submitting GPA.
CDS 25thβ75th percentile SAT composite range for enrolled first-year students.
CDS 25thβ75th percentile ACT composite range for enrolled first-year students.
KSU admissions quick navigation
KSU acceptance rate 2026: clear answer first
| Searcher question | Direct KSU answer | What it means for applicants |
|---|---|---|
| KSU acceptance rate 2026 | 79.4%, based on 26,622 admits from 33,513 applicants. | KSU is moderately selective. Strong, complete applicants have a realistic path. |
| Is KSU hard to get into? | Not extremely hard, but requirements matter. | You still need GPA, SAT/ACT, RHSC courses and official records. |
| Is KSU open admission? | No. KSU uses admission requirements. | Do not apply with missing test scores, weak transcripts or incomplete documents. |
| Does KSU have waitlist pressure? | KSU CDS says no waitlist policy for first-year applicants. | Focus on completing requirements instead of waitlist strategy. |
| What matters most? | CDS marks academic GPA and standardized test scores as admission factors. | Your GPA and test scores are the core decision points. |
KSU Fall 2026 application deadlines
KSU uses published application and document deadlines. The safest strategy is to finish before the priority deadline because KSU notes priority applicants get earlier access to housing and orientation sign-ups.
| 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 28, 2026 | July 28, 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 |
KSU GPA, SAT and ACT requirements for 2026 applicants
Minimum GPA rule
Through Summer 2027: KSU lists a 2.5 GPA requirement with qualifying SAT/ACT scores.
Fall 2027 change
Beginning Fall 2027: first-year applicants must meet a 3.0 GPA requirement with qualifying test scores.
SAT minimum
KSU lists 500 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 490 Math minimum SAT section scores.
ACT minimum
KSU lists 18 English or Reading and 18 Math minimum ACT section scores.
| Metric | KSU official/profile data | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Average high school GPA | 3.48 for enrolled first-year students who submitted GPA. | A GPA above 3.5 looks stronger; below 3.0 needs careful attention to minimum rules. |
| Middle SAT composite | 1010β1210 middle 50% range; median 1100. | Above 1210 is strong for KSU; 1010β1210 is common among enrolled students. |
| Middle ACT composite | 19β26 middle 50% range; median 22. | Above 26 is strong; 19β26 is a normal enrolled-student range. |
| SAT submission | 41% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores. | SAT is commonly used, but meeting section minimums is the priority. |
| ACT submission | 12% of enrolled first-year students submitted ACT scores. | ACT is acceptable; KSU says students only need one test type. |
| Superscoring | KSU uses top section scores from test dates, but does not mix SAT with ACT. | Send all official scores if retesting may help your section scores. |
Required High School Curriculum: the hidden KSU requirement
Many applicants focus only on acceptance rate and miss the curriculum rule. Kennesaw State recalculates high school GPA using the 17 units of the Required High School Curriculum.
| RHSC area | Required units | Applicant warning |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 units | Missing English units can create admission problems even if overall GPA looks okay. |
| Math | 4 units | Math readiness matters for many KSU majors, especially STEM, business and architecture. |
| Science | 4 units | KSU expects science preparation; lab science rules should be checked with USG guidance. |
| Social Science | 3 units | Do not assume electives replace required social science/history preparation. |
| Foreign Language / ASL / approved Computer Science | 2 units | Same-language sequence or approved substitute matters for RHSC completion. |
KSU application materials: what you actually need
| Requirement | KSU detail | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | KSU CDS lists a $40 application fee; fee waiver may be available for financial need. | Selecting fee waiver when not eligible can delay processing. |
| High school transcript | Official transcript must come from the high school. | Uploading an unofficial copy and thinking it is enough. |
| Test scores | KSU requires official SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants. | Self-reporting but not sending official scores before the deadline. |
| SAT school code | 5359 | Sending scores to the wrong school code. |
| ACT school code | 0833 | Waiting too long for official ACT delivery. |
| Dual enrollment transcript | College transcript is needed if college credit was earned while in high school. | Assuming the high school transcript automatically includes official college credit. |
Program-specific warning: Architecture has higher requirements
KSUβs general acceptance rate can be misleading if you apply to a program with extra requirements. Architecture is the clearest example on the freshman requirements page.
| Architecture applicant item | KSU listed requirement | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Application timing | Architecture applicants are encouraged to complete the application and documents by January 31 for fall admission. | Do not wait for the regular Fall deadline. |
| High school GPA | 3.0 | Architecture is not the same as the general 2.5 rule. |
| SAT | 500 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing; 570 Math | Math minimum is higher than the general freshman SAT math minimum. |
| ACT | 18 English or Reading; 23 Math | ACT Math requirement is higher than general freshman admission. |
First-year, transfer freshman, transfer and international: choose the right path
Use this path if you are a senior in high school or graduated within the last 5 years and have not enrolled at another college after graduation.
Use this path if you graduated in the last 5 years and earned fewer than 30 semester hours or 50 quarter hours of transferable college credit.
KSU CDS reports transfer admission separately. Fall 2025 transfer data: 4,448 applied, 3,716 admitted and 2,483 enrolled.
International first-year applicants need GPA shown on official evaluation if educated outside the United States and must submit SAT or ACT scores.
How to think about your KSU chances
KSU admissions video resource
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KSU application checklist: do this before submitting
Official KSU links and sources
The key official details are summarized above so users do not have to leave the article first. Use these links only to verify current rules, apply, send documents or check status.
Official source for applicants, admits, enrolled students, GPA, SAT, ACT and admissions-policy data.
Official source for GPA, deadlines, testing, curriculum, transcript and application-process rules.
Start page for freshman, transfer, international, dual enrollment, veteran and other applicant groups.
Use this official page to start or continue the correct KSU application process.
Official rules for international freshman, transfer freshman, GPA evaluation and test-score requirements.
Use this to schedule a visit, review campus locations and plan for Kennesaw or Marietta campus tours.
FAQs about KSU acceptance rate 2026
What is the KSU acceptance rate for 2026?
Kennesaw State University’s latest official CDS shows 33,513 first-year applicants and 26,622 admits for Fall 2025, which equals about 79.4%. Use that as the best current planning number for 2026.
Is KSU hard to get into?
KSU is moderately selective. It admits many students who meet requirements, but it is not open admission. GPA, SAT/ACT, curriculum and official documents still matter.
What GPA do you need for KSU?
KSU lists a 2.5 GPA requirement with qualifying test scores through Summer 2027. Beginning Fall 2027, the first-year GPA requirement becomes 3.0 with qualifying test scores.
Is KSU test optional for 2026?
No. KSU’s current freshman requirements say first-year applicants must submit official SAT or ACT scores with official high school transcripts.
What SAT score do you need for KSU?
KSU lists minimum SAT section scores of 500 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 490 Math. The middle SAT composite range for enrolled first-year students is 1010 to 1210.
What ACT score do you need for KSU?
KSU lists minimum ACT section scores of 18 in English or Reading and 18 in Math. The middle ACT composite range for enrolled first-year students is 19 to 26.
What is the average GPA at KSU?
KSU’s Common Data Set reports an average high school GPA of 3.48 for enrolled first-time, first-year students who submitted GPA.
What are KSU Fall 2026 deadlines?
KSU lists Fall 2026 priority deadline as November 3, 2025 and Fall 2026 regular deadline as July 28, 2026. Classes begin August 24, 2026.
Does KSU require an essay?
KSU counselor information says no essay is required unless students apply for the Honors College. Architecture and other special programs may have separate requirements.
How can I improve my KSU application?
Meet the GPA and test-score requirements, complete the 17 RHSC units, send official transcripts and test scores early, check your application portal and apply by the priority deadline for better housing and orientation timing.