For the second consecutive year, the California State University (CSU) welcomed an all-time high number of first-time, first-year students for fall 2024—more than 68,500 new students across its 23 universities. Preliminary data also show an overall enrollment increase of 2% from the previous year to more than 461,000 students, as well as a similar percentage growth in the number of California residents enrolled. CSU’s enrollment for 2024 is also reflective of California’s dynamically diverse demographics, with more than half of first-year students from historically underserved groups (Latinx, Black, Native American).
“This promising upward momentum demonstrates the confidence that Californians have in the extraordinary power of a CSU degree to transform lives, particularly for America’s new majority, comprised of first-generation students, students of color, low-income students and adults seeking new opportunities,” said Chancellor Mildred García. “Our world-class faculty and staff look forward to supporting our new scholars’ success as the CSU continues to advance our multi-year, holistic enrollment growth strategy, focusing on recruitment, retention and strengthening pathways for community college transfer students.”
The CSU’s increased enrollment numbers for fall 2024 are also a testament to the monumental efforts of financial aid staff across the 23 universities to ensure that admitted students and their families had additional time to receive and consider financial aid offers that were delayed as a result of the difficulties in the rollout of the 2024-25 FAFSA—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. University financial aid teams worked tirelessly to meet urgent needs, including quickly reaching out to students with incomplete FAFSAs, offering care and reassurance to concerned students and parents, and rapidly processing thousands of provisional aid offers once federal data was received. The CSU also joined the University of California to extend its intent to register deadline for new students to allow more time for students to consider financial aid packages.
While many states saw double-digit declines in FAFSA applications this year, thanks in large part to the CSU’s efforts, as of August, California is among the top 15 states with the highest 2024-25 FAFSA completion rates. What’s more, federal Pell Grant awards for CSU students increased systemwide and at most campuses for fall 2024. Increases in federal Pell awards improve access and affordability and minimize debt for CSU’s diverse students.
Although fall 2024 overall systemwide enrollment is not expected to exceed pre-pandemic numbers, the preliminary data signals additional growth in the coming years. In addition to a record-breaking first-time, first-year student headcount, the CSU saw growth over 2023 enrollment among transfer students (7%), continuing undergraduate students (1%) and graduate students (2%). Final systemwide enrollment figures are expected to be available in November.
All 23 CSU campuses are now accepting applications for admission for the fall 2025 term through December 2, 2024. Visit Calstate.edu/apply to learn more.
Preliminary CSU Systemwide Enrollment for Fall 2024
- 461,439 total students (2% growth)
- 408,151 undergraduates
- 68,525 first-year students (on par with 2023 all-time high)
- 52,261 transfer students (7% growth)
- 53,288 graduate and post baccalaureate students (2% growth)
- 96% of California first-year applicants were admitted
- 7% increase in California Community College transfers
- 58% of first-year students are from historically underserved groups (Black, Native American, Latinx). (54% of all undergraduates are from historically underserved groups)
- 54% of first-year students are Latinx (50% of all undergraduates are Latinx)
- 4% of first-year students are Black (4% of all undergraduates are Black)
- 52% of first-year students are from low-income families (50% of all undergraduates are from low-income families)
About the California State University
The California State University is the nation's largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 450,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU's 23 universities provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending nearly 127,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.