From $50 million construction projects to semester rents topping $5,000, KSU housing costs are drawing scrutiny from students concerned about affordability.
Some Kennesaw State University students are raising concerns about rising on-campus housing costs as new construction and a growing student population reshape residential life across campus.
The concerns come as KSU Place apartments on the northern side of campus are expected to close for the upcoming fall semester due to renovations, while construction on Summit II, a new student housing building, nears completion. The changes have led some students to question whether housing prices could increase as a result of these developments.
“I feel like because c of the new stuff being built around here, KSU is using our tuition money, money they get from the dorms to fund all these other building projects. I feel like they are making an excuse of upping the price because they are putting more unnecessary costs in the dorms, like we got new washers and dryers, and the new residence life fee. I had a roommate move out recently because the housing prices are getting ridiculous,” said Megan Feurtado, upperclassman ARC resident. Other students have expressed similar sentiments.
Rumors have been raised regarding possible rent increases at the Austin Residence Complex (ARC), an upperclassman housing community. According to an employee working in KSU Housing who requested anonymity, rent at ARC could increase by as much as $800. However, university housing officials denied that claim when contacted.
“At this time, there is no official confirmation regarding a specific price increase for the upperclassman dorms,” a housing representative said. “Housing costs vary across our different complexes and room types. We recommend that students regularly check the official housing website for finalized pricing.”
The Numbers
Summit II, which cost approximately $50 million to construct, is expected to house about 460 students once it opens. According to published housing rates, the average cost per resident at Summit I and Summit II is about $3,958 per semester, depending on room type.
Published housing rates for the 2025–26 academic year show that on-campus housing costs vary widely depending on location and classification. ARC lists rates ranging from about $4,869 to $5,134 per semester per student, depending on unit configuration, making it one of the more expensive upperclassman housing options on campus.
Housing costs for first-year students also vary. University Village, a first-year housing community on the Kennesaw campus, ranges from about $4,574 to $4,798 per semester per person for standard units. University Village Suites list higher rates, with suite-style units costing up to $5,415 per semester. On the Marietta campus, housing costs are generally comparable. Howell Hall remains one of the lower-cost on-campus options at approximately $2,951 per semester.
In addition to new construction, the KSU Foundation has requested approval from the Cobb County authority to issue up to $135 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to support housing-related projects, according to reporting by the Marietta Daily Journal. Approximately $35 million of the funding would be used to renovate KSU Place I and II, while the remaining funds would be used to refinance existing housing debt.
Revenue bonds are repaid through revenue generated by the projects they finance rather than through taxes. University officials have not indicated that the bond proposal directly sets student housing rates.
For many students, the possibility of rent increases comes at a time when tuition, fees and the overall cost of living continue to rise. As construction and renovations move forward, students are encouraged to monitor official updates from KSU Housing and Residence Life regarding finalized housing rates and future changes.
