10 Reasons to Choose the CSU
Notable alumni discuss how their CSU education charted a path to success.
01
A High-Value Education at an Affordable Cost
The CSU is the best value in higher education. Year after year, it remains one of the most affordable university systems in the nation, with more than half of its students graduating with zero loan debt. In 2024, all 23 campuses ranked among the top 100 “Best Bang for the Buck" universities in the West, according to Washington Monthly.
In addition, the university offers students a variety of financial aid options to ensure access to higher education, including grants, loans, scholarships, fellowships, veteran's aid and work study. Nearly 80% of CSU students receive some form of financial aid, and more than 60% have their tuition fully covered by non-loan aid.
02
An Engine of Social Mobility
Earning a CSU degree changes the lives of students and their families. CSU campuses consistently rank high each year in CollegeNET's “Social Mobility Index"—which measures to what extent higher education institutions are helping solve the declining levels of economic mobility in the U.S. The index looks at the cost of attendance, economic background of the student body, graduation rates and early career salaries to determine if schools are accepting economically disadvantaged students and graduating them into well-paying jobs.
The importance of the CSU's role in ensuring individuals can move up the income ladder becomes evident when considering the system awards more than half of California's bachelor's degrees and nearly a third of CSU students are first generation.
03
A Focus on Student Success
With student success at the heart of Graduation Initiative 2025 (GI2025), there has never been a better time to be a CSU student. The ambitious initiative seeks to increase graduation rates for all CSU students while eliminating opportunity and achievement gaps. Since launching in 2015, the effort has helped more students complete their degree programs and graduate on time.
In fall 2021, the CSU introduced
five GI2025 priorities to eliminate equity gaps affecting underserved students: reengage and reenroll underserved students, expand credit opportunities with summer/intersession, ensure equitable access to digital degree planners, eliminate administrative barriers to graduation and promote equitable learning practices and reduce DFW (D-F-Withdraw) rates.
04
A University for All Students
Everyone is welcome at the CSU. As the nation's most diverse four-year university, the CSU serves all students regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, ability or socioeconomic status. In fact, more than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, 21 campuses are Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the CSU confers more than half of undergraduate degrees earned by California's Latinx, African American and Native American students.
The university celebrates the diversity of its student body and ensures the success of all students through systemwide initiatives like the Educational Opportunity Program and GI2025, campus-based programs, cultural centers and anti-bias trainings.
05
World-Class Faculty
CSU faculty are among the best and the brightest in the profession, providing students with a quality education while addressing equity gaps. They are the leaders who engage with students, meet their learning needs in the campus or virtual classroom and prepare them for their future. The innovation and dedication of CSU instructors were made clear during the pandemic, when they found creative ways to transition to online learning.
Equally important is the CSU's employment of
diverse faculty members to reflect the composition of the student body. Efforts continue to both hire and retain professors of color who can offer unique support and serve as role models for students.
06
A Bridge Across the Digital Divide
COVID-19 and virtual learning made apparent the technological disparities that exist along racial, ethnic and socioeconomic lines. Addressing these technology equity gaps remains a priority for the CSU. Campus-based student technology equity initiatives, including long-term loans for high-quality computing devices, are enhancing student achievement and creating more equitable opportunities for the CSU community.
In addition to industry-leading technology, the CSU's continued efforts include increasing the number of courses using low- or no-cost learning materials through
Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) to provide equitable access to education and improve retention. The program saves students across California
$77 million annually.
Digital equity initiatives are an important component of the CSU's efforts to recover from the pandemic and improve student success while eliminating opportunity and achievement gaps.
07
A Home to the Next Generation of Experts
One in 10 employees in California is a CSU graduate. As a result, the university is responsible for preparing the next generation of experts leading the state to a better future. With the support of top professors, laboratories, relationships with local industries and hands-on learning, CSU students will have the knowledge and experience to tackle the challenges of tomorrow—whether in agriculture, aerospace, cybersecurity or a variety of other industries. And, through the campuses' entrepreneur and incubator programs, the university also encourages students to pave their own path forward, pushing California's industries ahead or disrupting them when needed.
08
A Generator of Innovation and Research
Even before graduation, CSU students get hands-on experience and learning opportunities conducting cutting-edge research in the lab and the field with faculty. Beyond the educational value, students help address some of the state's, nation's and world's most pressing challenges . In just the past few years, CSU research helped California understand and combat COVID-19, while other ongoing research has looked at climate change, aid for those with disabilities, fire prevention, ocean conservation and earthquakes.
09
A Champion of Leadership
Students will also develop leadership skills, both inside and outside of the classroom, before entering the workforce. Whether through work study or
internships, campus organizations or athletics, volunteering or civic engagement initiatives, the CSU ensures students' learning experience prepares them to serve and lead their communities both inside and outside a professional capacity. For example, the
College Corps program, launched in 2022, provides students with paid service opportunities in which they apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to benefit their communities, strengthen their leadership and public speaking skills and gain valuable career training.
10
A Global Alumni Network
In 2021, the CSU reached 4 million alumni—a number that continues to grow each year. This extensive network provides students and graduates with people to turn to for mentorship, advice and internship or job opportunities.
While 84% of CSU alumni live in California, the network stretches across the globe with alumni groups operating in Washington, D.C., and New York and new groups starting up in Tokyo and the United Kingdom.
Published 9/27/2021, Updated 10/2/2024
Story: Alex Beall
photoGRAPHY:
Jason Halley, CSU Chico; Cal State Fullerton; Jessica Vernone, Sac State; Robert Huskey, Cal State LA; CSUN; Sean DuFrene, Cal State Long Beach; CSU Bakersfield; Patrick Record; Cal Poly SLO; Jessica Bartlett, CSU Chico; CSU Channel Islands.
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