Ranking and Comparison of Cal State Universities

Hello everyone! I'm strongly considering staying in-state (California) for college and have been looking into the California State universities. Does anyone have a good source for comparing and ranking these schools? Or does anyone have personal experiences they'd be willing to share? Thanks in advance!

Hello, I'm glad to see you're interested in the California State University system! They offer a wide array of programs in various disciplines, and each campus has its own specialties and strengths.

Short of using any particular ranking system — which I'd advise taking with a grain of salt anyway, as their methodologies vary and they might not capture what's most important to you — I would suggest exploring each university's academic disciplines and programs, student life, location, facilities, and more, as well as considering their acceptance rates and average GPA and SAT/ACT scores. Also, looking into graduation rates and job placement rates could give you a better sense of the outcomes you can expect from each school.

For instance, San Diego State and CSU Long Beach are known for their business programs. CSU Fullerton has a strong fine arts program, while Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's engineering programs are quite reputable. If you're interested in a specific field of study, it is a good idea to seek out programs within the CSU system renowned for that particular field.

Also, don't neglect things like the campus culture, size, extracurricular opportunities, and location, because these aspects can significantly impact your college experience. It could be helpful to visit campuses if possible or do a virtual tour. Talking with current students and alumni could be insightful as well.

Lastly, remember your finances. Compare the tuition, fees and cost of living at each potential choice, and assess how much you (or your family) can afford to pay and what financial aid opportunities are available at each school. Use each college's net price calculator to get a sense of what your out-of-pocket costs could be.

Each Cal State has its own distinct personality and strengths, and I’m sure there’s one out there that will fit your wants and needs. Good luck with your research and eventual applications!