Kennesaw State University

The stigma that was once attached to online learning has all but faded away. Today, online degrees are as respected as their on-campus counterparts. This is partly thanks to the crackdown on diploma mills and the rise of legitimate universities, like KSU that now offers a high quality online education. 

The easiest way to determine if a school is good is to ensure it's properly accredited. This means that the institution was graded by a third-party organization and proven to have sufficient faculty and program offerings. KSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees, and certificates.

KSU is best known as a research institute. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has determined it to be an R2 research institute, meaning it has very high research activity. More specifically, KSU has at least 20 research/scholarship doctorates and has reported at least $5 million in total research expenditures in a fiscal year. This designation puts KSU in the top 6% of U.S. colleges when it comes to research. 

KSU is also known for its programs in the field of teaching. Online students can engage in the 15 education degrees that are available at the master's and doctoral levels. This includes a Master of Education in Secondary and Middle Grades Education and a Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership.

The highest earning degree at KSU is its Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. According to College Scorecard, students who complete this program can expect to earn a median salary of $82,279 three years after graduation. Similar programs in the areas of computer science, computer engineering, and engineering technology may provide graduates with a salary between $70,000 and $79,000. This includes KSU's Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

As mentioned, KSU is well-suited for students who envision themselves conducting research, especially in the field of education. Attending an R2-designated school is worth it due to the millions of dollars it receives to complete research projects led by students and faculty. Combine this with the school's Center for Innovation in STEM Education Research (CiSTEMer), a collaborative effort to push for pure and applied research in K-12 STEM education, and the wealth of education degree options at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

KSU students can also expect to earn more than high school graduates. College Scorecard notes that 70% of graduates from KSU earn more than their peers who only attended high school. Furthermore, the school's annual cost of tuition falls just below the midpoint line for all four-year universities around the country at $18,522 per year.

Before getting started with an online education, it's important to understand how difficult it might be to attend certain schools. The best way to make this determination is by looking at the acceptance rate. In general, the higher the rate, the more likely a school will accept students based on basic criteria. The lower the number goes, however, means that students may have to showcase exceptional academic performance to be accepted. 

KSU's acceptance rate is 83%, meaning the likelihood of getting in is higher than many other schools in the country. Plus, college entrance exams are not required for summer and fall admittance.

KSU has a basic level of admission requirements that many first-year college students should be able to meet. Those who want to opt out of their ACT or SAT exams are required to show a high school GPA of 3.2. Students with qualifying test scores only need a 2.5 GPA. To apply, follow these steps: 

• Submit an online application along with a $40 fee. Some students may be eligible to save money on application fees by filing for a waiver through the Common App.
• Attach high school transcripts showing four units of English, four units of Math, four units of Science, three units of Social Science, two units of the same Foreign Language, two units of American Sign Language, or two units of USG approved Computer Science.
• Add any additional transcripts from previous college experience or AP classes taken in high school.
• Submit ACT or SAT exam scores, if applicable.

Remember that admission requirements and application processes may differ based on individual programs or what type of student is applying to college.