UC vs CSU. Should You Pick a CSU Instead of a UC?

UC vs CSU. Which one is best for you? The University of California system contains some of the best public universities in the US and typically the #1 public university in the world (UC Berkeley or UCLA, depending on the day). This leads many people to unfairly discredit the California State University (CSU) system, which has a lot to offer. In this article, I will walk through everything you need to know about the CSU system and how it compares to the UC system.

Why You Should Consider Best Acceptance Rate Colleges Like CSUs

While the UC institutions are more popular, that doesn’t make them the right fit for everyone. The UCs are known for their research prowess, making them the right path for anyone wanting to pursue further education.

The CSU system, on the other hand, has a more practical curriculum that prepares students to directly enter the job force. At CSUs, there’s less theory at the undergraduate level and more hands-on learning, which is why it may be a better fit for many students. CSU’s commitment to job preparation is evident from their list of practical majors, with dozens of degrees that the UCs do not offer, from digital arts to teaching credentials to an actual business administration degree (not some economics program made to look like a business degree, as seen at UCSB and UCLA).

If your goal is to get a job after completing your degree, a CSU may be right for you. Not all California colleges and universities are right for everyone. — Photo by The Jopwell Collection on Unsplash

It Isn’t All About Prestige

Of course, many students set their sights on attending a UC simply because of the prestige—but it’s critical to first understand your goals and what you hope to get out of your college experience before settling on a school. Most people would rather get a job than an advanced degree. If that’s you, consider where you want to end up, not where you want to get your start. Most CSUs have great connections with many companies that make it easy for you to get a great job right out of college.

If you're browsing colleges in Southern California and don't know which one to choose, we can help you navigate the difference between UCs and CSUs. — Photo by Christian Battaglia on Unsplash

For example, San Jose State University is in Silicon Valley, providing you with access to amazing guest lecturers, internships, and connections. Arguably, this gives SJSU more value than UC Berkeley when it comes to jobs in Silicon Valley. Moreover, the practical majors that CSUs offer may make many companies more likely to hire you.

CSU Rankings by Major

Now, let’s check out some data to see how CSUs rank for popular majors:

Computer Science & Engineering
- SJSU (Ranked #22 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SFSU (Ranked #29 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- Cal Poly SLO (Ranked #3 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- CSU Long Beach (Ranked #14 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SDSU (Ranked #65 in Top Public Schools West by US News)
Biology & related majors
- SJSU (Ranked #22 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SFSU (Ranked #29 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- Cal Poly SLO (Ranked #3 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- CSU Long Beach (Ranked #14 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SDSU (Ranked #65 in Top Public Schools West by US News)
- CSU Monterey Bay (Ranked #25 in Regional Universities West by US News)
Business
- SJSU (Ranked #22 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SFSU (Ranked #29 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- CSU Northridge (Ranked #40 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- CSU Long Beach (Ranked #14 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SDSU (Ranked #65 in Top Public Schools West by US News)

Programs offered at CSUs but not UCs (reference SJSU as an example):

Advertising (BS)
Art: Digital Art (Animation, Graphic Design, etc) (BFA)
Aviation (BS)
Business Administration (BS)*
Communicative Disorders and Sciences (BA)
Hospitality, Tourism, & Event Management (BS)
Industrial Design (BFA)
Kinesiology (BS)
Nursing (BS)
Packaging (BS)
Public Relations (BS)
Recreation (BS)
Teaching Credentials

The Difference Between UC and CSU

One more major advantage you should know about attending a CSU school is the amazing cost savings. The average tuition at UC schools is approximately $14K. This is in stark contrast to the average CSU tuition at $7K.

If you're checking out colleges in Southern California but hoping to not break the bank, you might consider attending a CSU. — Photo by Roman Wimmers on Unsplash

Furthermore, many CSUs are optimized for commuting. This means you can either live at home or farther away from campus. This increases the cost savings another level, as campus housing tends to be more expensive. You may daydream about getting out of the house now, but you’ll thank yourself years down the line when your student debt is remarkably lower than that of your peers.

Best Colleges to Apply to in California

All in all, it is pretty obvious that the CSUs have a lot to offer and should be a serious consideration for in-state and out-of-state students alike.

To learn more, watch our YouTube video on this topic, then follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more college application tips. We can help you with navigating application portals, writing application essays, and finding colleges that are the perfect fit for you.

See you soon!

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Sarah Gooch

Essay Editor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: I have five years' experience in coaching student writing, but this is my first year with ReadyEdgeGo.

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love helping students find depth and meaning in their own stories—but I also just love it when they make me laugh!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In theory, I enjoy painting and writing poetry, but these days I actually spend most of my free time socializing or watching movies with my husband.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't just focus on achieving top grades and credentials because they look good on applications, or your education will be meaningless. The numbers and awards have their place, but stay connected to your sense of curiosity, discovery, excitement, and wonder so that the content you're learning is constantly transforming you—it's something you care about, something you remember after the final exam. Work on the aspects of yourself no one can measure, like integrity, wisdom, kindness, and compassion, so that you're not only developing your academic and career potential but also investing in the type of adult you're going to be, the person you'll have to live with after you clock out every day for the rest of your life.

Doing the hard inner work of building your character and learning deeply instead of just earning grades will set you up for a satisfying, well-rounded life. Strange as it sounds, it will also put you ahead in your academic and career goals, because colleges and hiring managers aren't looking for an empty set of data on a spreadsheet; they want a fully fleshed-out person marked by passion, creativity, and a story no one else has lived.

So go on studying hard for tests, but also spend some time asking yourself what matters in life and who your role models are. Read up on topics that amaze you, and build something incredible just for fun. Cultivate that spark of joy you feel when you're immersed in a subject that fascinates you. If you can hit that balancing act of doing your homework and meeting deadlines but also investing in the kind of person you want to be, then trust that all the rest will follow: schools will recognize you as a dynamic, all-star person, and you will also build a life of happiness, close relationships, and peace.

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