Kennesaw State University: A Practical Guide for Atlanta Students and Families

Kennesaw State University (KSU) is one of the major public universities serving the Atlanta metro area, and it’s a common option for Atlanta residents looking for an affordable, commuter-friendly, and career-focused education. If you live in or near Atlanta and are considering KSU, understanding how it fits into Atlanta life, commuting patterns, housing, and job opportunities is essential.

This guide walks through what Atlanta residents typically want to know about Kennesaw State University and how it works as part of the broader Atlanta region.

Where Kennesaw State University Fits Into Metro Atlanta

Kennesaw State University is a public university in the University System of Georgia with two main campuses in the northern metro area:

• Kennesaw Campus – Kennesaw, GA (Cobb County), northwest of Atlanta
• Marietta Campus – Marietta, GA (also Cobb County), just off I‑75

For most Atlanta-area students, KSU functions as a large suburban campus with strong ties to the Atlanta job market, especially in:

• Business and accounting
• Engineering and technology
• Education
• Health-related fields
• Arts and communications

If you live in Atlanta, think of KSU as one of the key northside higher education hubs, alongside other Atlanta-area institutions.

Campus Locations and How They Connect to Atlanta

Kennesaw Campus (Main Campus)

• Address: 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
• Located near I‑75 and I‑575, making it reachable from much of metro Atlanta
• Close to areas Atlanta residents know well: Town Center at Cobb, Barrett Parkway, and the I‑75 corridor

Marietta Campus

• Address: 1100 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta, GA 30060
• Just off I‑75, south of the Kennesaw campus
• Especially known for engineering, computing, and technical programs

For many Atlanta students, the Marietta campus is closer to the city center and can be slightly easier to reach from neighborhoods like:

• Midtown and Downtown (straight up I‑75)
• West Midtown and Westside
• Portions of Cobb County inside the Perimeter

Commuting From Atlanta to Kennesaw State

Driving From Atlanta

For most Atlanta residents, driving is the default commute to KSU.

Approximate drive times in typical, non-peak conditions:

⏱️ Important: During rush hour, especially on I‑75 northbound in the morning and southbound in the late afternoon, these times can increase significantly. Many KSU commuters from Atlanta adjust schedules to avoid peak traffic when possible.

MARTA and CobbLinc Options

KSU is not directly on a MARTA rail line, but you can combine MARTA + CobbLinc (Cobb County transit):

1. Take MARTA rail to Arts Center Station (Midtown).
2. Transfer upstairs to CobbLinc buses heading up I‑75.
3. Certain CobbLinc routes serve areas near Kennesaw and Marietta, with stops not far from the campuses.

For detailed, up-to-date routes, students usually confirm schedules through transit agencies, but the key point for Atlanta residents is:
A car is still the most practical option, though some students do piece together transit, especially if they already live on the north side.

Living in Atlanta vs. Living Near KSU

A major decision for Atlanta-area students is whether to:

• Stay in Atlanta and commute, or
• Move closer to Kennesaw or Marietta.

Living in Atlanta and Commuting

This option makes sense if you:

• Already have work, family, or housing in Atlanta
• Don’t want to change school zones for children
• Prefer Atlanta’s urban amenities (walkable areas, nightlife, cultural events)

Consider:

• Fuel and parking costs over several years
• Time spent in traffic (especially if taking multiple classes on multiple days)
• Scheduling classes in blocks on fewer days to reduce travel

Living Near Kennesaw State

Nearby housing options include:

• On-campus housing on the Kennesaw or Marietta campus
• Apartments in Kennesaw, Acworth, Marietta
• Shared housing with other students in surrounding neighborhoods

This can reduce commute stress and support more engagement in:

• Evening classes
• Study groups
• Campus organizations and events

For families relocating from Atlanta, living in Cobb County can also change school options for younger children, so it’s common for families to compare districts like Cobb County School District and Atlanta Public Schools when making decisions.

Academic Programs Atlanta Students Commonly Look For

While KSU offers a wide range of programs, Atlanta residents frequently look at:

Business and Management

The Coles College of Business is a major draw for students working or planning to work in Atlanta’s:

• Corporate offices (e.g., in Buckhead, Midtown, Perimeter)
• Small businesses and startups
• Logistics and supply chain roles (important in metro Atlanta)

Engineering and Technology

The Marietta Campus houses many of KSU’s technology and engineering programs, appealing to those aiming for jobs in or near Atlanta’s tech corridors, including:

• Software development and IT
• Civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering
• Construction management

Education and Teaching

Students interested in teaching in Atlanta Public Schools, Cobb County, DeKalb, or other nearby districts often consider KSU’s:

• Early childhood education
• Middle grades and secondary education
• Special education and related fields

Health and Human Services

Kennesaw State has programs that connect well to Atlanta’s large healthcare and human services landscape, including:

• Nursing (with clinical placements at Atlanta-area hospitals and clinics)
• Social work and human services fields

For Atlanta residents, the main question is how easily a program’s internships, clinicals, or co-ops fit with living and working in the metro area. KSU programs commonly place students with Atlanta-based employers and agencies, especially in health, education, business, and tech.

Cost, Financial Aid, and In-State Tuition for Atlanta Residents

Since Kennesaw State University is part of the University System of Georgia, Atlanta residents who qualify as Georgia residents for tuition purposes can access in-state rates.

Key points Atlanta families focus on:

• In-state tuition is typically more affordable than many private schools in the city.
• HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships (for eligible Georgia residents) can significantly reduce tuition costs.
• KSU participates in federal aid programs (Pell Grants, student loans, work-study), which Atlanta families apply for through the FAFSA.

Many Atlanta-area students work part-time in:

• Midtown or Downtown retail and service roles
• Professional internships in Buckhead, Perimeter, or Cumberland
• Remote or hybrid roles with Atlanta companies

These jobs can be combined with classes at KSU, but time management and commute planning become especially important.

Campus Life vs. Atlanta Life

On-Campus Experience

KSU has:

• Student housing communities
• Dining options, recreation centers, and student organizations
• Athletics (the KSU Owls), including football and basketball

Students who live on campus or near Kennesaw/Marietta will find it easy to:

• Join clubs and organizations
• Attend evening events, games, and performances
• Use on-campus resources like libraries and tutoring centers late into the day

Staying Connected to Atlanta

Many students who grew up inside the Perimeter want to stay connected to:

• Atlanta’s arts and music scene (Midtown, East Atlanta, Westside)
• Major venues and events (State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Fox Theatre)
• Neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia‑Highland

Living in Kennesaw or Marietta means more driving to reach central Atlanta, but many students coordinate:

• Weekend trips into the city
• Carpooling with other Atlanta-based friends
• Part-time jobs in Atlanta paired with KSU class schedules

For some, the balance is living midway—such as in Smyrna, Vinings, or central Marietta—to stay closer to Atlanta while keeping KSU accessible.

Using KSU to Access the Atlanta Job Market

Because Kennesaw State sits within the Atlanta metropolitan economy, many students view it as a stepping stone to careers in:

• Corporate and finance roles (Buckhead, Midtown)
• Tech and startups (Midtown Tech Square, West Midtown, Alpharetta corridor)
• Media and communications (Downtown and Midtown)
• Education and public service (Atlanta Public Schools, nearby county systems, local government)

Ways KSU students often plug into Atlanta opportunities:

• Internships and co-ops with Atlanta-based companies
• Career fairs that bring in Atlanta employers
• Alumni networks spread throughout the metro area

If you already live in Atlanta and are mid-career, KSU can function as:

• A place to complete a bachelor’s degree while you continue working in Atlanta
• A source of graduate or certificate programs that support career advancement in the metro market

Support Services and Key Contacts for Atlanta Residents

If you’re in Atlanta and want to take the next step with Kennesaw State University, these core offices are most relevant:

KSU Admissions (Undergraduate)

• Mailing Address:
  Office of Undergraduate Admissions
  Kennesaw State University
  3391 Town Point Drive, MD 9111
  Kennesaw, GA 30144

Prospective students from Atlanta generally:

• Submit an application and transcripts
• Provide test scores if required (requirements can change over time)
• Check residency status for in-state tuition

Graduate Admissions

• Serves Atlanta-area professionals returning to school for master’s or doctoral programs
• Often used by those working in Atlanta’s business, education, tech, or public sectors looking to upskill

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial aid staff frequently work with:

• Atlanta high school graduates using HOPE/Zell Miller
• Working adults balancing family, work, and school costs
• Transfer students from Atlanta-area technical colleges or two-year programs

Contact details may change over time, so it’s best to verify office phone numbers and emails through official KSU channels before visiting.

Is Kennesaw State a Good Fit for Someone in Atlanta?

For someone living in or moving to Atlanta, Kennesaw State University can be a strong fit if you:

• Want a public, in-state university closely connected to the Atlanta job market
• Don’t mind (or can manage) a commute up I‑75 or are open to living in Kennesaw/Marietta
• Are interested in business, engineering, education, health, or applied fields that tie directly into Atlanta employers
• Need to balance work in Atlanta with a flexible class schedule

If you’re deciding between staying in Atlanta and commuting or relocating closer to campus, it often comes down to:

• Your work location in the city
• Family responsibilities and school zones
• Tolerance for I‑75 traffic
• How important on-campus life and activities are to you

By weighing commute time, academic offerings, cost, and your ties to Atlanta’s neighborhoods, you can decide how Kennesaw State University fits into your broader plan for living, studying, and working in the Atlanta area.