Framingham State University reputation? (Boston, Westfield: apartments, rent, credit)

[Wants2MoveNOW]

Hey all, I'm from southern California right now, and am moving to the Boston-area this summer (2012). I will be applying to Framingham State University (specifically because they have an accredited Registered Dietitian program).

My questions are: What is Framingham's reputation? Good school? Bad school? In a good area? In a bad part of town? Known for being a "wild party school" or known for being academically outstanding? Good for dumb kids? Good for smart kids? Etc etc...

I'd appreciate any and all information

[brightdoglover]

Ofhand (co-workers kids have gone there) I'd say it's an average state school, not outstanding for its type, not bad. I think a lot of the students are commuters, so that would mitigate against a major party/dorm scene. Framingham overall has some modest-to-sl.scruffy areas, but nothing I'd think is downright *bad.*
Best wishes.

[lukyelle]

I have a couple of close friends who are professors at two of the state universities (Westfield and Framingham) - they're considered good value places. Mainly draw local populations - so you'll be an anomaly! They don't have many graduate programs overall and the faculty teach much more than in a major "university of", like U-Mass Amherst, for example. So the faculty tend to be not as involved in research which may or may not be a plus depending on how you look at it - might have more time to spend with students but not as engaged in their field.

[CaseyB]

Framingham State is popular among education majors. I don't know about their Dietitian program. Largely a commuter school, it is not located in a bad area of Framingham. Some of the students rent apartments in multi-family homes.