Cal State Rankings - How to Evaluate?

Super confused about the Cal State rankings. For one, what criteria are used to determine these rankings? And how much weight should I be placing on these rankings when deciding which Cal State to apply to?

Cal State rankings, like many college rankings, are usually determined using a variety of criteria. Some of these may include graduation rates, retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving rate, and at times, high school counselor ratings. In simple terms, they provide a snapshot of the performance of each school based on these collected data.

While rankings can be helpful in providing a general sense of a school's quality, remember to also consider your own individual priorities and goals. For instance: What majors or programs is the school known for? How's their financial aid? What's their campus like, and could you see yourself fitting there? Are there good internship or job opportunities in your field of interest in that area?

For example, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is typically ranked extremely high among the Cal State schools and is especially well-known for its architecture and engineering programs. So if you're interested in those fields, it might be a top choice for you. On the other hand, if you're interested in film or the arts, you might find that a school like CSU Long Beach is better suited to your goals, even if it isn't as highly ranked overall.

In essence, it's important to use the rankings as just one tool in your decision-making process. They can provide guidance, but ultimately it's about finding the best fit for your personal and academic needs.