Kennesaw State University is among a select group of 24 colleges and universities that scored an “A” for its high-quality core curriculum in a nationwide study on the state of general education released this week by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.

This is the seventh consecutive year Kennesaw State earned an “A” in the annual “What Will They Learn?” report. In this year’s study, KSU ranked in the top 2 percent among 1,100 major public and private four-year institutions surveyed, according to the Washington, D.C.-based ACTA, an independent, nonprofit organization committed to academic freedom, excellence and accountability at America’s colleges and universities.

“Kennesaw State is honored to once again be among a select group of universities receiving the highest score in this critical measure of academic excellence,” said Kennesaw State President Sam Olens. “This recognition attests to the rigor and breadth of the core curriculum that our undergraduates are required to take. They are getting a high-quality, comprehensive education at KSU.”

ACTA assigns schools a letter grade ranging from “A” to “F” based on how many of seven core, basic subjects they require: composition, U.S. government or history, economics, literature, math, science and foreign language at an intermediate level. “A” schools were those that require a course in at least six out of the seven academic subjects. Other universities earning the top grade included the University of Georgia, Pepperdine University, United States Air Force Academy, and Baylor University.

KSU also was ranked as one of only three Georgia institutions – and one of 21 nationwide – mentioned as a “Hidden Gem.” This ranking denotes colleges and universities that maintain strong core curriculum requirements. According to the organization, “The ‘Hidden Gems’ institutions all receive ‘A’ or ‘B’ grades, and several distinguish themselves further by additional core requirements beyond the seven core subjects measured.