Pittsburg State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Pittsburg, Kansas · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
89%
Avg SAT
1050
In-state tuition
$8,400
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$15,784
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Pittsburg State University is a public university in Pittsburg, Kansas that admits about 89% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $15,784 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Construction Management and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Pittsburg State University is a public institution located in Pittsburg, Kansas. For the most recent reporting cycle, Pittsburg State University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 89%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1050 and an ACT composite around 21. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,784 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Pittsburg State University?

Pittsburg State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

SAT and ACT scores Pittsburg State University typically admits

The middle-50 ACT composite range is 17–24. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile
50th percentile1050
75th percentile
ACT Composite
25th percentile17
50th percentile21
75th percentile24

How much does Pittsburg State University actually cost?

Published tuition is $8,400 for in-state students and $19,744 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $10,234 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $15,784 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 30% of students receive Pell Grants.

Average net price (after aid)$15,784

Application deadlines and early decision data for Pittsburg State University

Regular admission

Most popular majors at Pittsburg State University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Pittsburg State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Construction Management and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. Across all programs, Pittsburg State University confers roughly 525 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $75,413 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing128$75,413
Construction Management78$90,793
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas69$49,676
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods64$43,736
Biology, General51$62,312
Marketing47$58,292
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians44$78,159
Psychology, General44$43,281
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Pittsburg State University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Pittsburg State University disclosed 14 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 3 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
14
3.3 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
3
0.71 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
5
1.19 per 1,000
Burglary
5
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 4,210 enrolled.

Other colleges in Kansas parents ask about

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for Pittsburg State University

Common questions parents ask about Pittsburg State University

What GPA do I need for Pittsburg State University?

Pittsburg State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

What SAT or ACT score does Pittsburg State University typically admit?

The middle-50 ACT composite range is 17–24.

How much does Pittsburg State University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Pittsburg State University after grants and scholarships is $15,784 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $8,400 and $19,744 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is Pittsburg State University realistic for my child?

Pittsburg State University admits 89% of applicants, so 17–24 ACT is target range and below 17 is a reach. Then check the $15,784 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Pittsburg State University?

Pittsburg State University accepts about 89% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Pittsburg State University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Pittsburg State University is a public institution located in Pittsburg, Kansas.

What are the most popular majors at Pittsburg State University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Pittsburg State University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Construction Management and Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. The school awards about 525 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Pittsburg State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Pittsburg State University reported 14 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Pittsburg State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers