Reviews

The teaching staff at Columbus State University is excellent. All of the professors are very knowledgeable, helpful, and do their best to create an experience conductive to learning. All the Professors welcome questions (even in larger classes,) offer extra-credit opportunities, and correspond with students regularly via e-mail. In each class I took, every one of my professor treated each student with respect and earnestly answered each question they were asked.

Columbus State has many enjoyable perks. Campus is not very big, so new students should be able to get acquainted to the school fairly quickly. The Cafeteria offers a healthy and diverse selection of foods (and excellent fried rice,) and there are many recreational opportunities for students, such as intramural sports. Additionally, CSU offers a computer lab open 24/7 on Campus, which is quite convenient for students without a printer or laptop. The major downside to CSU is the school's appearance. Some of the buildings appear outdated and are sometimes musky. Another trifle involving the school is the constant construction work on campus, which makes it somewhat difficult to pay attention in class. But, aside from the minor quibbles, studying at CSU is an overally enjoyable experience.

CSU has some of the lowest tuition in the state, which is good for many students who cannot afford tuition at a larger school. However, the low tuition is traded for some programs and luxuries. For instance, there is no Economics, Physics, Philosophy, or Journalism major. There is also the problem of under-staffing. Many of CSU's administrative departments are understaffed, making offices such as Student Enrollment Services and Financial Aid somewhat inefficient. Additionally, some Academic functions of the school, such as the Math and Science lab, are understaffed. However, when a student is able to gain the attention of a Math or Science tutor, they almost always convey information clearly and concisely. However, CSU is currently expanding and more classes will be available in the near future.

Try to avoid driving as most of the school is contained within walking distance and parking has become a bit of a problem. Utilize all of the school's resources, as many of the tutoring labs are free of charge and can be very helpful in difficult courses. When a Professor mentions extra-credit, take note: extra credit can result in earning a letter grade in some classes. If you do not understand a concept, e-mail your professor, they usually respond to e-mails and are more than happy to help you or find the means to help you succeed in college.

CSU is great for commuter students, non-Traditional students, first-year students, and Theater students. The college is small, so organizing student activities and study groups can be a bit of a hassle, but with the right group of students, there is more than enough room to accommodate all activities on campus. The Theater program is excellent and well-budgeted. I would recommend this school primarily as a litmus test to new college students to get acquainted with the college before moving on to a bigger school.

this university has very strong programs for specific majors such as theatre, art, music, nursing, communications, business, etc. there are two different campuses, twenty minutes apart via shuttle, and each offer completely different college experiences. the student community is very close and strong among campuses, majors, or even clubs.

make sure to visit both campuses before applying for the school. looking at just one will not give you a complete picture of the university. do sufficient research of what columbus offers. sometimes major programs can be custom-made; also, opportunities like studying abroad or greek life may be overlooked on a simple tour.

academic rigor varies depending on what you're studying, of course. some classes are extremely easy due to either the professor or course itself. however, the rigor of classes increases as you focus more on your major.

because of the two campuses, riverpark and main, two completely different dorm lives are available. on main campus, you will find dorms similar to apartment complexes with a pool and even a volleyball court. downtown at riverpark, the dorms are suite-style. here each room looks different, in both shape and size. also, this downtown community is smaller and like a family.

the food options vary by campus. on main campus, there is the cafeteria where the food changes daily and is all you can eat. also, there is a chick-fil-a and burger studio which accept cougar cash, an extra part of your meal plan. on the riverpark campus, there is the den which offers an unchanging menu of food, but also has a convenience store selling snacks, frozen foods, drinks, etc. the den also accepts cougar cash. both campuses are within walking distance of many restaurants.

columbus offers entertainment of all kinds. a short drive away there is the cinema, restaurants, and shopping center on whittlesey dr. near the main campus is the columbus mall. riverpark campus lies in the very center of downtown columbus, which offers many shops, restaurants, events, and the quite occasional parade. on campus, there are usually events held by assorted clubs/groups and greek organizations and performances by the arts majors. also the amazing new recreation center has much to offer, including an aquatic center, sauna, and rock wall.

columbus state is very affordable in comparison to many large universities, but as scholarships become harder to obtain and with the state of the economy, student loans are necessary. thankfully, with some perseverance, you can receive generous loans and grants from financial aid.

for entering freshman, the university throws a week's worth of celebratory events which are fun for students of any year. the main campus is overrun with entertainment and events by the greek life and student clubs, usually occurring daily. the recreation center is definitely an amazing location with so much to offer. on the riverpark campus, there are many odd hangouts and locations. the tables outside of the den and fountain city coffee shop are always filled with students and locals hanging out over food and drinks. one hang out tradition is the third floor of the parking deck. almost regardless of time, there will be a different group of students talking and listening to music, welcoming any passers-by with open arms.

the main campus is great for the athletic, outgoing, or people looking for the authentic college experience. however, this campus also has a wide variety of campus nerds, self-titled, interested in any form of gaming, graphics, or science fiction. the greek life is very predominant also. on riverpark, you will tend to find the artsy, outgoing people interested in art, theatre, or music. this campus is for people looking for a family-like community, people interested in the arts, or people who love the downtown, city feel.

there are clubs of a wide variety available at csu, from religious groups to the campus nerds to intramural sports. you can join any of the 110 active organizations! there are always events and activities being held for the groups or by the groups. even outside of clubs, the university often holds activities to entertain and involve the students.

many greek organizations are available to the students of csu. each organizations harbors people of similar interests, yet they all interact respectfully towards the other groups. each fraternity or sorority hosts events, such as sports games or bake sales, to bring community between the greeks and the school. though there are strong bonds between the greek groups and their members, the students are not kept from having friends among or outside of the greek organizations.

the campus police are highly responsive to any needs. whether you don't want to walk alone or are having car troubles, they are willing to help. there are safety alerts sent through email and text to the students. also, scan card access is necessary to enter most buildings and any level of the dorms. emergency call boxes are located around the campus.

Columbus State is a great school for those who don't want to get lost in the shuffle at larger campuses. I love the individual attention I get from my professors, and I feel they are interested in my success.

Be organized and connect with your advisor early on...they will help you maneuver through the process and ensure you sign up for the right classes.

Professors always challenge you to strive for your best and to stay on task with your assignments

There are many activities going on throughout the year that help to connect you with clubs and organizations where you can meet new people.

I love the healthy choices in the dining area. However, some of the meals prepared could be more tasty.

To enjoy yourself at Columbus State, there are many clubs and organizations you can join. They also have many volunteer activities you can do on the weekends so you won't get bored.

Definitely a very cost efficient school with many extra curricular activities that are affordable for college students.

I always feel safe because I consistently see security monitoring activity in and around our campus.

A few years ago, CSU was a sub-standard university. Now that Dr. Mescon is in charge, it is quickly changing for the better. I feel like I'm going more in-depth about the things I learned in high school, not just re-learning them. It has been a great experience so far.

I haven't gotten as involved as I would like yet because of my schedule, but I love that there are a ton of different groups and organizations to get involved with. There's always something going on at the clock tower or the downtown campus and if it isn't free, it's very cheap.

I definitely feel like I'm getting my money's worth. The facilities are in good shape, the professors are attentive when you need help, and there's always something to do. If you don't have a car, you can easily get to the downtown campus and back on one of the shuttle buses. Dr. Mescon is extremely involved with the students and faculty; I can actually point him out to you (and I'm sure most of my friends at other universities can't say the same thing about their president). I would like to see more options for food, but I can always run over to the mall (which is two blocks over) to grab a bite.

Get involved! I kept hearing this from older friends, my parents, my older sister, and at orientation - it's true. Even if you are from Columbus, you need to meet new people. The only way to feel at home and comfortable is to have a group of people that you can hang out with. There are so many clubs and organizations that I'm sure everyone can find something.

Also, if you're having trouble with a hard class or learning how to study, go to the Academic Center for Excellence (in Schuster) and ask for a tutor. Even if you only meet a couple of times, it can really help. I've heard the Writing and Math labs are really helpful, too.

When I was looking at colleges, I wanted one that had less than 10,000 students. I didn't want to go to a university like UGA or Georgia State; I wasn't ready for a big city or gigantic school. If you really just want to go to a school in a moderate-sized city and feel like you're a part of a community, I think CSU is for you. There's always something going on in Columbus or on campus. And if you do want to go to Atlanta for the weekend or something, it's not that far away.

I have found that a majority of the Faculty and Staff members at CSU love their job. They want to teach and they want you to learn. Since the class sizes are relatively small it isn't difficult to interact with other students in study groups or group projects. Also, it makes it easier to build a good academic relationship with the teachers. They are willing to help and offer some great advice on how to better your education.

I really didn't think I was going to like CSU very much, and actually planned on transferring out after a year or so but I turned out to love it! I am involved in a lot of stuff on campus, and since it is a smaller campus it makes it easier to get involved. I'm in the Servant Leadership program at CSU and love how involved in the community it is. Also, I'm in a sorority and that has made it really enjoyable! But no matter what you enjoy, I'm sure you could find it at CSU.

Tuition is always a problem when it comes to college; however, I do think you get your money's worth at CSU. The cost of tuition here is much lower than many other schools in Georgia.

GET INVOLVED! Don't stay in your dorms all day. Go out and explore campus, I guarantee you that you will find something you are interested in. Also, if you're a commuter student you need to get involved too! Don't just come to school and leave. CSU has a lot more to offer than people think. Honestly, your college experience is going to be what you make it, so make it great! I know I am.

ANY TYPES. I know that a lot of people think it is only good for commuter students, but I actually enjoyed living on campus. There are a lot of people living on campus now, and also a lot of people commuting. Either way I'm sure you can find a way for it to work for you!

The Music program at CSU is excellent. The size of students in every class is very small and the professors are very good in their own field.

I live at Riverpark, the downtown campus. The campus is situated near coffee houses and restaurants. Live music is only minutes away.
The students are very enthusiastic and want to succeed in their own major.

CSU is very affordable compared the academics you are getting. Especially if you are going for the music program, nursing or Education program.

Don't drive to school if you live on Camus, the shuttles are very good. Own a laptop. If you intend to live on campus, stay downtown. The atmosphere is very good. Don't buy a too big meal plan, the food is not extraordinary.

Music Students. Nursing and Education.

CSU has a cultural enrichment and campus environment. I applied to many schools and had the opportunity to visit them all but found that CSU has that home away from home feel that I was looking for.

Be prepared! Study the CSU site, it has great information! Be active!

The professors put forth a great amount of effort to give you the most out of the classes that you take. Yes, the work can be challenging but I wouldn't expect anything less from my college education

I started CSU fall of 2015 and have always stayed in a private-private room which means I have my own private room and bathroom. Dorm life is amazing if you pick the right roommates.

The food is not the best in the Cafeteria. As a matter of fact, i only eat their pizza and chicken nuggets. On the upside, the mall and restaurants are located very close by.

There are a lot of activities that take place on campus. You will never be bored!

I do feel that it is a bit pricey to attend CSU but there are ways to offset the cost. Choose your meal plan wisely. It may be better to cook than to go out.

There are may clubs and activities. All are listed on the columbusstate.edu website

There are many sororities. i am more focused on my studies so I do not wish to join any but there are many to choose from for those that do.

No concerns of safety. The dorms have locks and one can only enter with a key provided by CSU

Columbus State is a very diverse and fun school. The atmosphere is great and so are the people on campus. We never have any problems there, everyone is willing an ready to meet new people

Always come with an open mind and never be afraid of being new and meeting new people.

You must take your academics serious at all times. The professors aren't going to baby you and hold your hand. Work comes first and play later. You have to be on top of your game. Make sure you are never procrastinating and be able to manage your time very well. Always study!!! If you need any help your tutoring we have plenty of tutors on campus that are set up at different locations and they are willing to help. I used my math tutor plenty of times and it help me our alot.

I don;t stay on campus but the friends that i do have who stay on campus says its great. You learn how to live on your on own and be able to deal with others as well. The rooms are nice sizes. Some comes with separate bathrooms and others do not. It all just depends on what you pick and where you stay.

The food is great. The cafe has the best food. Even the library has a snack bar where you can by food or drinks.

You can go to any athletic events for free. We throw plenty of parties so you will never be bored.

We are always having different activities on and off campus. Just recently, we had a n Welcome Back Picnic on campus. It was great, everyone came out and had a good time new and returning students. We also had a Color Bash and a beach party at Callaway Gardens. The Color Bash was soo exciting and fun. You would do a run and while you are running people on the side are spray and throwing different color paints on you so at the end of the run you would decorated in different colors.

Campus Safety is at a 100%. The campus just invested over $30,000 for more security to make sure the students and faculty are safe at all times. If there is any problem. security comes asap. You never have to wait long than five minutes for security.

Columbus State is a wonderful growing school in a growing community. It is really easy to be known around this campus and there are so many organizations to be involved with. The classes can be challenging but overall a wonderful college!

I would say to make sure you study and do your work all the time. Be yourself because you want to make friends by being who you really are. Get involved in something you love and have a passion for doing.

The academics can be hard but they are challenging!

Dorm life seems nice but I do not live on campus! The downtown, riverpark dorms are amazing!

Chick fil A and Subway are great but the cafeteria food could be better

There is a mall right in front of the main campus. Many organizations that you can get involved with. Movie theaters and so much more.

It is actually a very good deal and worth the money.

The politeness and way Columbus State makes you feel like you are at home.

Any one who loves the arts! :) or anyone who just wants a different experience

They have so many clubs and activities so there is something for everybody!

It seems great!

The campus is very safe! Campus security is always there.

I thoroughly enjoyed going to Columbus State University and have had my share of the good and the bad that come with being a student there. It was extremely affordable for a state college and provided a very good environment for learning.

Be ready to walk as much of this campus is far apart and most classes aren't as centralized. Also any books that are listed for certain classes should not be bought until after meeting the professor and asking him/ her if it is required.

The academics at CSU offer a very wide range of degrees and programs and hires very professional staff members and professors that are very focused on the student getting the material. However much of CSU academics deal with Cougarnet which is CSU's official website for students ,but many of the professors don't use it as they prefer Cougarview which creates a lot of back and forth between teacher and student and can be very aggravating. Other than that if CSU has the degree of your chose I would highly recommends them.

Fairly basic with no special features or anything special to set it apart from other schools.

CSU has several dinning options and many on campus sites to buy delicious food on the go or for a sit-down environment.

There are many club opportunities and groups to join on campus that make college there a lot more exciting.

Definitely worth the money to go there especially for how much effort they put back into the school.

It is a very safe campus surrounded by an even better neighborhood of people who are very respectful to students. Also police are very active in patrolling the area all day.