Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Kennesaw State University vs Georgia Southern University: which has better ROI?

Public, Kennesaw GA · vs · Public, Statesboro GA

The verdict

Kennesaw State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $60,192 in 6.5 years versus 12.5 years at Georgia Southern University, on median earnings of $57,552 vs $53,236 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureKennesaw State UniversityGeorgia Southern University
Net price / yr$15,048$15,267
Total net cost$60,192$61,068
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,552$53,236
Median debt$23,833$23,250
Payback6.5 yrs12.5 yrs
20-year net return$123,648$36,452

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Kennesaw State University or Georgia Southern University?

Kennesaw State University, at $15,048 a year after aid versus $15,267 — a gap of $219 a year, or $876 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Kennesaw State University or Georgia Southern University graduates earn more?

Kennesaw State University graduates report a median $57,552 ten years after entry, $4,316 more than the $53,236 at Georgia Southern University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Kennesaw State University or Georgia Southern University?

Georgia Southern University: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $23,833 at Kennesaw State University, a difference of $583. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Georgia Southern University, against 52% at Kennesaw State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Kennesaw State University vs Georgia Southern University: frequently asked questions

Is Kennesaw State University or Georgia Southern University a better value?
Kennesaw State University. It clears its $60,192 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 12.5 years at Georgia Southern University, on median earnings of $57,552 vs $53,236 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Kennesaw State University or Georgia Southern University?
Kennesaw State University: $15,048/yr net price after aid versus $15,267/yr at Georgia Southern University — a difference of $219 a year, or about $876 over four years.
Do Kennesaw State University or Georgia Southern University graduates earn more?
Kennesaw State University graduates earn a median $57,552 ten years after entry, versus $53,236 at Georgia Southern University — a $4,316 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.