Pittsburg State University (PSU)

Pittsburg State University in southeast Kansas is an ���affordable��� smallish school ���with a bigger university atmosphere.��� Career-oriented majors such as business and education are particularly strong. Electronics engineering technology and some other technology-related programs boast career placement rates of 100 percent. ���Students love the small class sizes��� at PSU. They tell us that ���the classes challenge you enough to keep going to class but they aren���t too hard that you stay up all night studying and are overwhelmed with homework.��� Many professors are ���very knowledgeable��� and ���enjoy what they are doing.��� They are ���always more than willing to help��� outside of class as well. However, ���it seems some teachers would rather be somewhere else.��� ���My professors are awesome in the nursing department and the psychology department,��� reports a nursing major. ���But over the years, I���ve had some really not-so-awesome professors.��� The administration here ���works fast and effectively if there is ever a problem��� and seems generally beloved.

A lot of students come to Pitt State ���from the Kansas City area.��� Many others come ���from farms��� and rural hamlets around Kansas. ���I come from a town of 1,200 people so this is a big change for me,��� mentions a sophomore. Ethnic diversity isn���t much, though there are ���quite a few international students.��� There are many ���older are wiser��� nontraditional students as well. The typical PSU student was ���familiar with several students prior to enrollment��� and is ���wrapped up in college life.��� That student is also ���very friendly��� and pretty extroverted. ���If you aren���t social, this probably isn���t a great choice,��� advises a sophomore. ���Everyone is outgoing here.���

Some students call Pitt State���s compact campus ���beautiful.��� Others say that it ���could be prettier��� and note that some of the residence halls are as ���old as dirt.��� Parking is a serious complaint as well. Students report ���a wide variety of activities��� on campus. ���I am amazed at the number of groups represented at Pitt considering the small overall population,��� says one senior. ���Most everyone fits in somewhere.��� There���s a smattering of Greek life. The bar scene isn���t bad and ���partying��� is a pretty common pastime. ���It doesn���t matter what night it is,��� promises a senior, ���you can find a party.��� ���PSU: out-drinking your school since 1903,��� states a first-year student. Sports of all kinds are also very popular, but the football team is a storied Division II powerhouse and it definitely dominates. In the fall, tailgating is reportedly ���huge��� and ���football is the biggest thing going.��� Off campus, the ���small,��� ���rural��� surrounding town is cheap and very safe but ���there isn���t a whole lot��� in the way of commercial activity. Kansas City is a reasonable drive for students looking for urban fare.