Kennesaw State University vs Albany State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Kennesaw State University holds a 46-point ROI advantage over Albany State University, scoring 60/100 versus 14/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, Albany State University comes in at $11,898 per year (net price after aid) versus $15,048 at Kennesaw State University - a difference of $3,150 annually, or roughly $12,600 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Kennesaw State University graduates earn a median of $57,552 compared to $40,674 at Albany State University. The payback period is 8.9 years at Kennesaw State University versus 33.1 years at Albany State University.
Graduates leave Kennesaw State University with a median $23,833 in debt versus $25,024 at Albany State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.62 and 0.92 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Kennesaw State University | Albany State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $5,808 | $5,656 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $17,736 | $17,008 |
| Net Price (avg) | $15,048 | $11,898 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $60,192 | $47,592 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $38,200 | $27,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,552 | $40,674 |
| Graduation Rate | 52.2% | 31.1% |
| Payback Period | 8.9 yr | 33.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $23,833 | $25,024 |
| Monthly Payment | $253 | $265 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.62 | 0.92 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 69.2% | 27.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 60.1% | 25.6% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 69.2% | N/A |
| Enrollment | 41,254 | 5,956 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Kennesaw State Unive... | Albany State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,235 | $10,693 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $12,661 | $11,147 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $15,185 | $13,785 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $18,263 | $16,419 |
| $110,001+ | $19,309 | $17,324 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Kennesaw State Unive... | Albany State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $87,935 | $87,799 |
| Accounting | $77,710 | $52,363 |
| Marketing | $72,089 | $50,366 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,708 | $49,246 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,675 | $39,265 |
| Biology | $57,435 | $49,440 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,033 | $49,310 |
| Teacher Education | $51,386 | $51,782 |
| Psychology | $50,645 | $41,153 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | $27,636 | $29,798 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Kennesaw State Unive... | Albany State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 79 | 22 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 69 | 16 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 45 | 7 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 44 | 11 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 38 | 1 |
| Overall ROI Score | 60 | 14 |
The Verdict
Kennesaw State University significantly outperforms Albany State University on financial ROI (60 vs 14). The 46-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Albany State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors Kennesaw State University.
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Kennesaw State University
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Albany State University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.