Looking for Information on Colleges in Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri, is one of the areas I'm considering for college because I might want a more urban experience. Can anyone fill me in on what colleges in KC offer in terms of academic programs, campus culture, and internship/job opportunities? Bonus points if you can speak to living in the city as a student — I've heard it's pretty vibrant but would like some firsthand accounts.

Absolutely, Kansas City, Missouri offers a great mix of an urban, city lifestyle with diverse academic opportunities. I'll give you a brief overview of two highly reputed institutions in the area: University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) and Rockhurst University.

UMKC is a public institution and is well-known for its emphasis on research and experiential learning. In terms of academic programs, UMKC has several colleges, offering a wide range of majors including Business, Arts and Sciences, Computing and Engineering, and Biological Sciences, among others. The UMKC School of Law and Bloch School of Management are particularly well-regarded. As far as internships and job opportunities go, UMKC often partners with numerous businesses, nonprofits and government agencies in the area which presents opportunities for students to gain real-world experiences.

Rockhurst University, on the other hand, is a smaller private Jesuit university known for its strong programs in Business, Education, and Health Sciences. They embrace a rigorous, high-quality curriculum and value community engagement—there's a strong emphasis on serving others through volunteer work. Being in an urban setting, Rockhurst students also benefit from internships and job opportunities. Rockhurst has a slightly more intimate campus feel due to its smaller size.

As for the life in the city, students often mention that Kansas City is a robust, vibrant city with a dynamic arts scene and renowned cuisine, especially their barbecue. The city is home to multiple professional sports teams and it's known for its jazz and blues music history. Various neighborhoods, such as the Power & Light District or Westport, offer entertainment and nightlife options. Importantly, Kansas City is also generally deemed as affordable, which may positively impact your cost of living as a student.

Remember though, it's always a good idea to take virtual tours if you can't visit these campuses in person and to reach out to current students to have a more detailed picture of what life might be like both in the universities and in the city of Kansas City itself. Good luck in your research!