Reader's Choice: Louisiana State University

We use hard statistics to produce Kiplinger’s annual rankings for best values in public colleges and universities, and we’re proud of the results. Now, we’re giving our readers’ favorites a chance to brag a little, by letting a student fill us in on what’s fun, cool, quirky and just plain great on campus and nearby.

LOCATION: Baton Rouge, La.

UNDERGRADUTE ENROLLMENT: 23,393

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BEST ON-CAMPUS FEATURE:

Events like Groovin’ on the Grounds, a free concert, and Fall Fest, a welcome-back celebration for students and faculty. They are awesome entertainment for free.

BEST OFF-CAMPUS FEATURE:

Baton Rouge provides everything you get from a big city but with a small-town feel. There’s a lot to do, people are friendly, and you see Louisiana’s culture all over the place.

WHERE SENIORS WANT TO LIVE:

Anywhere on Brightside Drive. It has lots of apartments, and it’s just a couple of miles from campus.

MOST UNUSUAL CAMPUS TRADITION:

Kissing in front of the Bell Tower. It’s cliché but cute.

BEST PLACE TO STUDY DURING FINALS WEEK:

Middleton Library is probably where the most people go. Other than that, coffee shops like CC’s Coffee House or Highland Coffee are the best places to study.

MOST CROWDED SPOT ON THE FIRST NICE DAY:

People ride bikes and jog at the University Lakes or go to the Rec Center (UREC) throughout the year, but on the first nice day, everyone’s outside there.

BEST PLACE TO EAT WHEN THE DINING HALL WON'T DO:

The LSU staple is the Chimes. It’s right off campus and offers a variety of food and drinks. You can even go “around the world” (sample 60 beers from 20 different countries).

WHERE YOU WANT TO BE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT:

Tiger Stadium! There’s nothing like a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

WHAT WE WON'T LEARN ON THE CAMPUS TOUR:

Figure out your major as soon as possible, so you can focus on taking the classes you’ll need to get quickly to your main classes.

CLASS THAT GETS STUDENTS TALKING:

Management 3200 with Kerry Sauley. Every time I told someone I was taking management, their eyes would light up and say “WITH SAULEY?!!??!?!”

BEST WEEKEND FOR FRIENDS TO VISIT:

Anytime during football season.

SIX WORDS ABOUT YOUR COLLEGE THAT SAY IT ALL:

Intense, Fun, Sleepless, Crazy, Difficult, Memorable.

Louisiana State University

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