Columbus State University Reviews

  • 26 Reviews
  • Columbus (GA)
  • Annual Tuition: $16,805
82% of 26 students said this degree improved their career prospects
73% of 26 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

John parker
  • Reviewed: 3/12/2021
  • Degree: Computer and Information Science
"This semester has been literally one for the books. We’ve been stripped of our spring break, overloaded with assignments and new policies and students are harassed on campus. If it wasn’t for the fact that I am almost done, I would not be here. Res Life has been abusing their power and using the “you signed the contract” line instead of actually showing human decency when it comes to entering student living areas. Majority of the professors ( not all) do not care that students are struggling to keep up with work due to mental health and the pandemic. Instead of helping students, CSU has decided to capitalize off of the pandemic. Even with a pandemic, you cannot justify not giving students a break. We are literally on our last leg and they do not care. The only time they care about students is if fines are owed. Minority students are not given the same respect as white students. This problem has only spiked due to the pandemic. We need to speak up more whether it’s complaints or reviews on the school, but it has to be something. They will continue to drag in students by showing off the Rec Center as the pride and joy of campus yet to take advantage of students once they get here. It’s ridiculous and it needs to be stopped."
Concerned
  • Reviewed: 10/26/2020
  • Degree: Business
"This college is unhelpful with filing of financial aid. They ask for same info over and over and it has been uploaded about 8 or 9 time. You would think they would be willing to help since financial aid is guaranteed payment to them. What a joke. They don't read info sent in it's entirety"
MC
  • Reviewed: 4/8/2020
  • Degree: Nurse Practitioner (Family)
"This program is advertised to be suitable for students to continue working full time. What should be advertised is that the school will do next to absolutely nothing to work with your schedule if you continue to work full time. Tests must be taken on specific dates, within specific hours despite everything being online and "asynchronous". There are no online lectures. The professors pull their powerpoints from those provided with the textbook and leave you to do 100% of the learning on your own. Clinicals are entirely outsourced, and don't expect any help from the faculty in finding a location. Oh and when there is a global pandemic, that is not a good excuse for not having your clinical site lined up. The majority of staff is seemingly only there to enter a grade for you. When you have questions, don't expect them to be answered for days to weeks. Overall, this is a low quality program that minimally assists it's students. You get what you pay for."
Lola
  • Reviewed: 2/18/2020
  • Degree: Nurse Practitioner (Family)
"The most absolute worst program I have ever entered into. The instructors do not teach! The weeks powerpoints are from the book, no actual lesson plan is attached. Then they throw heavily weighted exams every few weeks to destroy your grade. The assignments along the way are pointless but extremely time consuming and end up only counting for 3% of your grade. The clinical course has busy work assignments as well. I WOULD NEVER RECCOMEND THIS PROGRAM TO EVEN MY WORST ENEMY!!! IF I hadn't put so much money into this program I would quit and go somewhere else."
David Britt
  • Reviewed: 12/23/2019
  • Degree: Communications
"The Communications department at CSU has grown tremendously in the last few years. I would recommend it to anyone looking at pursuing mass communications, or other communications-related fields. I was in the communications department before they had the offerings that they have now. Whenever I am at CSU visiting, I am in awe of how much is available now. From the radio station to the new film program, csu is focusing on being on the cutting edge of industries such as film, art, and mass communication. However, CSU is also a good place for communication majors who are not interested in mass comm. CSU has a great network in the Columbus, GA school district if you are looking to pair communications with education. Another thing that I think comm majors will like about CSU is the environment. The communications building is located in downtown Columbus, not on the main campus. Therefore, the dorms are downtown apartments. The performing arts school is also downtown, so its more of an artsy vibe-if you will. Its not the traditional small college dorm life on campus. CSU focuses on giving students a great life experience as well as a quality education. I would recommend Columbus State Universitys Communication program to anyone interested in mass Comm and a College in a medium-sized town. Its not so small that there is nothing to do, and its not intimidatingly large. Columbus is a good area that is near a lot of other good areas like major cities, other universities, mountains, and beaches. Therefore CSU will offer a good life experience as well as a good college experience."
Rachel Dixon
  • Reviewed: 9/29/2019
  • Degree: Health Sciences
"Columbus State University by far is one of the best public southern institutions in the state of Georgia. There are many opportunities to engage with the student population on campus. There are a number of organizations and clubs that I think meet so many students' needs. I was able to join many. However, I do feel like the institution could support more student life activities on campus. The funding allows some support, but student life can be a big reason why students choose a college, and although it does exist, the institutional could do more to make it more accessible to students. In regards to academics, I loved the relatively medium to small class sizes. I also didnt feel like I was competing with other students. For the most part, Columbus State is a collaborative space for students to learn with each other. However, I do wish the professors made themselves more readily available to students, and I wish there were more collaborative research opportunities for undergraduate students. Students could really use research to gain valuable skills that would help them in the future. Next, I would talk more about financial aid. Students often discuss how the financial aid department would be operated more efficiently. Many students cant wait in the long 1hr-2hr lines, and the communication between CSU and many students regarding finances isnt clear nor coherent. Many refunds are also sent out late, which impacts students wellness and success in many ways. All and all, I am proud to have gone to Columbus State University. There isnt much the school has to improve upon. The opportunities are limitless, and they have just about every academic interest you can think of. I would recommend this school for just about anyone, and I believe CSU does a great job of welcoming and being inclusive of everyone."
student
  • Reviewed: 4/23/2019
  • Degree: Nurse Practitioner (Family)
"The instructors do not interact in the courses in the FNP program. How is it again that they teach the students? Exams are limited on specific dates in 2-4 hour timeframes through online proctoring during the middle of the day (when you need to work or complete precepting hours). They have connectivity issues with their servers, so plan on getting booted out multiple times during the exams with very slowly connection on timed tests! Their solution, sit closer to the router when taking the test??? Many pointless assignments without any learning attached to them. They do not help find preceptors. You will beg door to door for preceptors and might have to sit out one or more semesters if you do not find someone. Financial aid is a complete joke. Do not depending on them to help you. The director is also arrogant and will not help students or change policies to allow for better student learning."
Erin
  • Reviewed: 4/2/2019
  • Degree: Nurse Practitioner (Family)
"I attended CSU for my MSN/FNP. I had a great experience. I graduated with a 4.0 while working every weekend, obtaining my clinical hours, completing my assignments, being a law enforcement wife, and being a mom to 3 school age children. It was a challenge to maintain a school/work/life balance, but that is to be expected with any full time masters program. I learned a lot and feel that I received a good education for my next step in my career. Instructors were available and helpful. As with the trend with all FNP programs nowadays, it would be great if there were contracted clincal placements and students didn't have to arrange them themselves, but again this is a nation wide problem. Overall I feel like the program was excellent."
Regretful
  • Reviewed: 12/9/2018
  • Degree: Special Education
"Honestly, I would not recommend anyone go through this program. The courses are applicable to your teaching development and you learn a lot. Some of the positives are that most of the professors care about the students and they understand that most of the students are working professionals. Unfortunately, your graduation from the program is dependent upon whether you pass a 100 question multiple choice exam with at least an 80. Most of the students in this program are already certified teachers, meaning we passed several GACE examinations to show the state we are knowledgeable in the field of special education. However, this is the most difficult test I have ever taken, having taken it several times and being a point or few points away every time. I made A's in nearly all of my courses, yet these courses still did not prepare me for this exit exam. I am having to pay back student loans that I took out hoping would lead me to receiving a step increase/pay raise. Instead, I am caught in this seemingly endless cycle of paying technology fees and student loans without making any more money. Then retake a multiple choice test every semester. with a maximum of two attempts per semester. There is no feedback on what you should study or what you have gotten wrong, it's almost as if the coordinator of the program constructs the test without the input of the professors teaching the courses. The folks in this program are special education teachers, trying to improve their professional skills and make a little more money in a profession that is overworked and under compensated. This program sells dreams and only gets its students further into debt and a seemingly endless cycle of pay more fees and retest."
Cuckoo bird
  • Reviewed: 7/18/2018
  • Degree: Special Education
"Do not waste your money trying to get a masters degree! Use common sense! If something is not going to benefit you, leave!! Dont waste your money on trash! You take a class and flunk our?!?! Cuz its online! Go to Georgia State or Georgia College! They are better! And they are hands on!"
Totally disappointed
  • Reviewed: 8/30/2017
  • Degree: Nursing
"This is a collaborative program with Georgia Southwestern University so anytime you have an issue that needs attention you are given the runaround and no resolve. Could and should be much better. Very poor feedback from instructors. Don't know what books you need until day of class. I had an awful experience."
Alex
  • Reviewed: 7/24/2017
  • Degree: Communications
"Columbus State was the right place for me. It's a large enough school to offer a lot of the bells and whistles like scholarship programs, study abroad opportunities, intramural, student organizations and internship options. But it's still small enough to offer smaller class sizes and the opportunity to really get to know many of your professors. If you go to a Georgia State, UGA or Georgia Southern for undergrad, it's easy to get lost in the crowd. Most students have to choose a single thing to be involved in. At CSU, you can sample a lot more of what the campus has to offer. I graduated with a lot more involvement and accolades than I could have attained at one of the giant schools in Georgia, but also with a better gounding in my discpline than students who get lost at bigger schools."
Happy Female Graduate
  • Reviewed: 5/22/2017
  • Degree: Business
"I had a very enjoyable time at Columbus State University. It has a feeling of being one big happy family."
Cassandra Hepp
  • Reviewed: 3/17/2017
  • Degree: Nursing
"Deciding to attend Columbus State University for my BSN degree was a great option for nursing students that are looking for smaller more intimate classroom settings while not breaking the bank. The program overall was challenging and forces you to learn certain skills, not only nursing skills, that are extremely essential in the working world of nursing. While in the program I felt endless support from professors and clinical instructors regardless of how tough the course load seemed, they were always there to answer questions, repeat demonstrations, and provide constructive feed back. After finishing the BSN program at CSU, I started my career in the operating room at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia and now am about to start an Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at the University of South Alabama."
Maciej Kierkus
  • Reviewed: 3/4/2017
  • Degree: Finance
"Columbus State University is a great place to pursue your degree. It is a medium size school with small classrooms and great direct contact with instructors. During my four years education at the CSU, all of my professors were very friendly and extremely helpful. All the courses were demanding but with the grat way of teaching and help of the instructors, there was no problem for me to succeed. I would strongly recommend this University to anybody looking for a medium sized, high quality school."
Female Graduate
  • Reviewed: 1/31/2017
  • Degree: Business
"It was a very good experience. It is a very close knit campus. The staff is very caring."
Lecretia
  • Reviewed: 9/29/2016
  • Degree: Social Sciences
"I think the university has changed a little, since I graduated. The college was quite rigorous and challenged students to high standards. But the education department at that time used exclusionary practices which led to keeping non-traditional students out of the education program. Since registration is now online, that's no longer happening. I graduated with a Social Science B.S. and then went back a couple of years later to study Special Education. They were student friendly for night classes for both programs. The quality of education in both programs is top notch, and most students are successful for state exiting requirements and licensure requirements. I felt very prepared for my job and noticed that other teachers and professionals who graduated from CSU state the same satisfaction for the same reason."
Shannon
  • Reviewed: 9/8/2016
  • Degree: Early Childhood Education
"Columbus State University is a budget friendly option that offers a quality public university education. There are many opportunities for involvement on campus and professors are generally willing to help during office hours. Job opportunities are limited within the area, but taking your degree out if town/state will open up opportunities."
C.T. Strong
  • Reviewed: 7/14/2016
  • Degree: Information Technology
"CSU has a great computer science department. Absolutely loved my instructors. The campus is innovative and campus settings was nice. CSU is worth the time and money. I actually enjoyed my time in college a lot better than I did high school. Even though I did not stay on campus I had friends who did and campus life for the to me seems nice."
Jason Sakelarios
  • Reviewed: 1/13/2015
  • Degree: Public Policy
"Professors are experts in their fields and have true "real world" experience in their respective fields. Instructional staff is basically a who's who of contemporary public safety leaders who are recognized both at the state level as well as nationally for their expertise. The theories and techniques discussed in class have been field proven and are not simply abstract ideas with no value in the "real world". The student body is comprised of professionals with a wide variety in a multitude of public safety disciplines which creates a peer to peer network and learning experience that I haven't found anywhere else. The classroom environment is always open and discussion and opinions are welcome. Professors know and understand that public safety agencies are highly individualized and unique. Ideas and theories for their administration are understood not to be a "one size fits all" method but rather they are presented as building blocks to be used and modified as needed for each agency/administrator. The pursuit of my degree has been invaluable to me as both a student as well as a working professional."