Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University
Former names
Kennesaw Junior College (1966–1976)
Kennesaw College (1976–1988)
Kennesaw State College (1988–1996)
Southern Polytechnic State University (merged 2015)
Motto"Wisdom, Justice, Moderation"
TypePublic research university
EstablishedOctober 9, 1963 (1963-10-09)
Parent institution
University System of Georgia
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliation
Space-grant
Endowment$100 million (2021)
Budget$566 million (2019)
PresidentKathy Schwaig
ProvostIvan Pulinkala
Academic staff
1,004
Administrative staff
2,000
Students47,845 (fall 2024)
Undergraduates42,840 (fall 2024)
Postgraduates5,005 (fall 2024)
Location, ,
United States

34°02′17″N 84°34′59″W / 34.038°N 84.583°W / 34.038; -84.583
CampusLarge suburb, 581 acres (2.35 km2)
NewspaperThe Sentinel
ColorsBlack and gold
   
NicknameOwls
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division I FBSCUSA
MascotScrappy the Owl
Websitekennesaw.edu

Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a public research university in the U.S. state of Georgia with two campuses in the Atlanta metropolitan area, one in the Kennesaw area and the other in Marietta on a combined 581 acres (235 ha) of land. The school was founded in 1963 by the Georgia Board of Regents using local bonds and a federal space-grant during a time of major Georgia economic expansion after World War II. KSU also holds classes at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Dalton State College, and in Paulding County (Dallas). The total enrollment exceeds 47,000 students making KSU the third-largest university by enrollment in Georgia.

KSU is part of the University System of Georgia and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". Kennesaw State's athletic teams are an NCAA Division I member of the Conference USA.