Finance and Financial Management Services at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's finance program delivers solid middle-tier outcomes that beat most Georgia competitors while keeping debt manageable. At $54,428 first-year and $63,121 by year four, graduates earn more than 60% of finance programs statewide and slightly outpace the national median. The $25,000 debt load—about one year of community college tuition less than what you'd borrow at many private schools—creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, meaning graduates enter careers with reasonable financial breathing room.

The trajectory here matters: earnings grow 16% over four years, suggesting graduates build skills that translate into career advancement rather than hitting a ceiling. Among Georgia's 16 finance programs, only UGA produces substantially better outcomes, while Kennesaw beats flagship Georgia State by nearly $7,000 at the four-year mark despite having a 69% admission rate and serving a solid mix of Pell-eligible students.

For a family weighing Georgia in-state options, this represents reliable value—not the prestige of UGA, but earnings that exceed most alternatives at a debt level you can actually manage. The robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier results. Your child would graduate with legitimate job prospects and a loan payment that won't dominate their early-career budget.