The Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University ranked No. 104 in Poets&Quants‘ 2025 Best Undergraduate Business Programs in the U.S. In our three methodological categories, Coles College ranked 104th in Admission Standards, 100th in Career Outcomes, and 102nd in Academic Experience, based solely on our alumni survey.
The college had an acceptance rate of 56% for the fall 2024 incoming class, with an average SAT score of 1086 and a six-year graduation rate of 51.8%.
Within three months of graduation, 79.18% of Coles College’s Class of 2024 graduates secured employment with an average starting salary of $58,866.
EMPHASIS ON STUDENT SUCCESS
The Coles College of Business has a strong focus on student success, innovative academic offerings, and deep connections with the business community. The curriculum emphasizes real-world experiences, integrating projects, internships, and industry engagement.
Students can pursue majors in Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hospitality Management, Information Systems, Management, Marketing, and Professional Sales.
There are many hands-on learning opportunities through specialized labs and centers, including the BrainLab, 3D Printing Lab, Information Security & Assurance Lab, Visualization & Simulation Cluster, and the Hessler Trading Floor. These facilities give students practical exposure to industry-relevant technologies and challenges, ensuring they graduate with the skills needed for a dynamic workforce.
The school actively promotes entrepreneurship and industry engagement through initiatives such as the Aspiring Community Entrepreneurs program, which offers students a consulting experience assisting startup businesses. Additionally, the college hosts the National Collegiate Sales Competition, the largest and most prestigious sales competition in the U.S., drawing participants from universities nationwide.
RECENT INNOVATIONS
Over the past three years, Coles College has implemented several innovative changes to enhance student learning and industry collaboration. A 3D printing assignment was integrated into a core business class, ensuring all business students gain hands-on experience with additive manufacturing technologies. The FinTech minor was also enhanced with an experiential learning component, where students solve real-world challenges from US Bank and Elavon.
The Information Systems capstone class now collaborates with Manhattan Associates, allowing students to work on consulting projects provided directly by the company. In a push for more real-world consulting experiences, Coles College launched GroundWork, the first student-run marketing agency at the school, providing marketing consultancy services to nonprofits and local businesses.
Coles College also introduced two new student competitions – the Marketing Innovation and Technology Strategy Competition and the Apps for Well-Being Competition – encouraging students to apply business concepts to real-world challenges. In response to emerging industry demands, the school launched new minors in Digital Financial Technologies (FinTech), Advertising & Digital Media, Retail & Consumer Services, and Sports & Entertainment Marketing.
ALUMNI SAY
“Consulting studies with big companies in Atlanta gave me the exposure I needed to gain the confidence to speak with leaders and ultimately secure my position at a Big Four firm. I ended up with four offers to the Big Four.”
“As a graduate and a recruiter from KSU. The Coles College of Business does a fantastic job developing accountants who are ready to work out of college. The school also has many resources through Beta Alpha Psi/the business college that gave me opportunities to network with future employers and develop myself to be desirable for employers.”
“I was a Coles Scholar which is a program that selects 20 students from over 6,000 and allows access to C-Suite executives in Atlanta. It was an amazing experience that has set me in line to compete with the best of the best.”
“It is an incredible business school staffed with professors with real business experience. The professors merged the theory given to business students across the county with practical experience.”
