Kennesaw State financial influence on the rise to $2.3 billion

KENNESAW, Ga. |
Aug 14, 2025

Kennesaw State University’s financial influence in metro Atlanta elevated to greater than $2.3 billion in fiscal yr 2024, in response to a University System of Georgia (USG) report launched Tuesday.

Kennesaw State’s FY 2024 financial influence within the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area marked a 7.1% improve from $2.15 billion the earlier yr. The whole influence of all 26 USG establishments on their communities was $23.1 billion in fiscal yr 2024, up 5.4% from $21.9 billion in FY 2023.

The establishment’s whole financial influence of $2.3 billion consists of greater than $1.4 billion in education-related spending by college students, mixed with KSU’s personnel and working bills. In addition, greater than $892 million was calculated as spending by the establishment, staff and college students in the neighborhood, comparable to at eating places and retail shops.

“Kennesaw State has long been a key contributor to the economic prosperity of our region and the state of Georgia,” stated KSU President Kathy S. Schwaig. “As we expand our reach and serve more students, families, and communities, we remain committed to growing KSU’s impact and proudly embrace our role as a vital economic driver across the state.”

Serving greater than 47,000 college students, Kennesaw State’s collective employment influence in FY 2024 was 16,621 full- and part-time jobs – together with 4,373 jobs on campus and 12,248 jobs off campus in both the non-public or public sectors. The examine discovered that, for every job created by KSU on its campus, one other 2.8 jobs have been created in the area people.

In addition to the annual financial influence examine, USG launched a companion examine that discovered bachelor’s diploma graduates within the class of 2024 from Georgia’s public faculties and universities will earn $1.4 million extra throughout their lifetimes than they might with out a diploma.

“A degree from one of USG’s 26 public colleges and universities is a million-dollar deal for graduates and a billion-dollar boost for Georgia,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue stated. “Students see real returns through higher earnings and better opportunities. Meanwhile, our institutions power Georgia’s economy and help local communities thrive.”

The University System’s measure of financial influence displays direct and oblique spending that contributes to the areas served by its faculties and universities. The report evaluates financial influence by way of output (gross sales, plus or minus stock), worth added (gross regional product), labor revenue and variety of jobs.

The University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth analyzed knowledge for the interval of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 to calculate every college’s financial influence.

Read the complete USG financial influence report here and the companion examine on earnings here.

– Photo by Judith Pishnery

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A pacesetter in modern instructing and studying, Kennesaw State University provides undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to its greater than 47,000 college students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 educational faculties. The college’s vibrant campus tradition, various inhabitants, robust international ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw college students from all through the nation and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral analysis establishment (R2), putting it amongst an elite group of solely 8 p.c of U.S. faculties and universities with an R1 or R2 standing. For extra info, go to kennesaw.edu.