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Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KS · Town · 4,210 students
WebsiteForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$15,784
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
57%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$50,579
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
89%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Pittsburg State University is best known for its hands-on, career-focused education, anchored by a nationally renowned College of Technology with standout programs in automotive technology, plastics engineering, and construction management. Beyond technical fields, Pitt State maintains strong regional reputations in nursing, education, and business, with students benefiting from cutting-edge facilities like the expansive Kansas Technology Center. Campus culture is vibrant and close-knit, driven by deep community ties and fierce school spirit for its powerhouse NCAA Division II athletic teams. Setting the university apart is its distinctive identity as the only college in the nation with a Gorilla as its mascot, underscoring a proud, spirited tradition paired with practical, high-placement academic programs.

Wikipedia:Pittsburg State University is a public university in Pittsburg, Kansas, United States. It enrolls approximately 5,500 students and is governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Location
Pittsburg, KS, 66762 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MCI · Kansas City
132 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$8,400$19,744
Housing & food (on campus)$10,234$10,234
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$22,099$31,862
Average net price$15,784Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$19,744
In-state: $8,400
Housing & food (on campus)$10,234
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$31,862
In-state: $22,099
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $15,784
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.pittstate.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
Pittsburg State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$10,114
Housing$5,317
Books & supplies$500
Total published by the school$31,862
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$11,968
$30–48k
$11,453
$48–75k
$14,676
$75–110k
$18,873
$110k+
$20,237
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
57%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
36%
Back for yr 2
77%
Transferred
26%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
55% graduated · 27% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 17% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$43,793
10 yrs after entry$50,579
Debt
Median at graduation$18,969
Monthly payment$201
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$24.1k
90th percentile$31,746
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
89%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1050
ACT midpoint
21
Comp 17–24 · E 15–23 · M 16–23

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Essay prompts

If Pittsburg State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 49%Women 51%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
14 : 1
Pell grant
30%
First-gen
32%
Family income
$49,467
Independent
18%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
8%
Race & ethnicity
White
78%
Hispanic
8%
Black
3%
Asian
1%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
2%
AI/AN
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$43,793
After 10 yrs
$50,579
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing122
Construction Management73
Psychology, General71
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas58
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods56
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians54
Biology, General53
Business/Commerce, General48
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities44
Marketing44
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians43
Graphic Communications40
Finance and Financial Management Services30
Communication and Media Studies29
Accounting and Related Services25
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies22
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$111M
Full-time faculty
66%
Faculty salary
$8,130/mo
Teaching spend
$9,572
per student
Federal loans
41%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$3M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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