What Are the Best Cal State Schools?

Looking for the right CSU school for you? Here's an overview of the top Cal State schools, plus the info you need to apply.

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Updated on August 29, 2024

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Cal State Schools Ranked

It's important to remember that the "best" school depends on you and your preferences. We used factors like reputation, education quality, and financial aid to determine our rankings.

Here are the five best Cal State schools.

1. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $11,075 (in-state) | $30,995 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 30%
Total Student Enrollment: 22,000

The core of Cal Poly's curriculum is rooted in its motto, "Learn by Doing." Its innovative hands-on approach has made Cal Poly a leading university in science, technology, and sustainability.

Within nine months of completing their degree, 95% of students are hired or attending grad school. Graduates have gone on to serve as innovators in the STEM industries. Four US astronauts are Cal Poly alumni — including Victor Glover, the first African American astronaut to call the ISS home.

2. San Diego State University

Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $8,290 (in-state) | $20,170 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 34%
Total Student Enrollment: 37,402

SDSU is a federally-designated HSI that features a curriculum with an international emphasis. Students can complete a bachelor's and master's degree with the international business department in just five years. Along the way, you can explore local and international internship opportunities at the Center for Human Rights.

You can also look at research opportunities with the Computational Science Research Center or the Coastal and Marine Institute. The school receives over $164.5 million in research-related funding.

3. California State University, Long Beach

Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $7,008 (in-state) | $18,888 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Total Student Enrollment: 38,973

CSU Long Beach champions racial equity and promotes social mobility. Almost 85% of current students are non-white. And 56% of the school's bachelor's degree recipients are first-generation college graduates.

School alumni have a collective state economic impact of over $8 billion. You can choose from 190+ academic programs. The most popular programs at CSULB are family and consumer sciences, psychology, business development, and health sciences.

4. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $7,439 (in-state) | $19,319 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Total Student Enrollment: 27,503

Cal Poly Pomona provides students with research, internship, and service-learning opportunities. It is less than 30 miles east of Los Angeles, giving you access to a major city while living in the suburbs.

The university has a number of support programs for underrepresented students. It also prioritizes serving the public good, supporting the local economy, and diversifying the skilled workforce.

5. California State University, Fullerton

Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $7,073 (in-state) | $18,953 (out-of-state)
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Total Student Enrollment: 40,386

CSU Fullerton is known for their diversity, D1 athletics, and STEM programs. With 55 undergraduate programs, you can pursue a degree in anything from data science and physics to Japanese and gender studies.

Cal State Fullerton's baseball team, the Titans, featured Michael Lorenzen, who was selected to be an All-Star pitcher for the MLB in 2023.

All CSU Schools

Cal State schools vary greatly in size, with student bodies ranging from less than 1,000 to over 40,000.

Acceptance rates also vary widely from 33% to 97%. Want to compare your top CSU schools? Here's an overview of enrollment rates, costs, acceptance, and number of applicants. Data is from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the 2023-24 academic year.

All CSU Schools
School	Total Student Enrollment	Avg. Annual Net Price	Acceptance Rate	Number of Applicants
California State University, Bakersfield	9,613	$6,567	88%	13,960
California State University, Channel Islands	6,128	$10,931	93%	10,082
California State University, Chico	14,183	$15,187	94%	22,263
California State University, Dominguez Hills	16,426	$4,438	91%	19,040
California State University, East Bay	13,673	$10,874	97%	13,274
California State University, Fresno	23,999	$7,303	96%	20,201
California State University, Fullerton	40,386	$6,283	87%	48,591
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt	6,025	$13,837	99%	14,019
California State University, Long Beach	38,973	$9,731	47%	79,680
California State University, Los Angeles	26,460	$4,551	92%	32,748
California State University Maritime Academy	849	$16,081	99%	943
California State University, Monterey Bay	7,045	$15,222	95%	11,769
California State University, Northridge	37,579	$8,222	93%	29,789
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona	27,503	$11,898	74%	45,775
California State University, Sacramento	31,818	$11,183	94%	25,994
California State University, San Bernardino	19,803	$6,645	98%	12,772
California State University, San Marcos	15,109	$10,500	96%	17,519
San Diego State University	37,402	$19,500	34%	82,800
San Francisco State University	25,282	$13,353	96%	29,878
San Jose State University	35,751	$13,833	80%	35,780
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo	22,000	$16,888	30%	63,736
Sonoma State University	6,637	$15,113	95%	10,529
California State University, Stanislaus	10,154	$7,316	97%	5,334

CSU vs. UC

Generally speaking, UC schools are more competitive than CSU schools. The University of California system has a higher volume of applicants and lower acceptance rates than CSUs.

While UC schools tend to have a better reputation, CSU schools have smaller student bodies and more campuses in rural areas. CSU schools are also more affordable and have low tuition fees for in-state students.

UC campuses have a more traditional college vibe, while Cal State schools enroll more nontraditional and commuter students.

How to Apply to CSU Schools

Want to pursue your education at a Cal State school? Here's how you can apply to the CSU of your choice.

Check the Admission Requirements

CSU admission requirements start with 15 units of required high school courses in foundational subjects. Applicants must complete these course requirements with a grade of C or better.

Students who live in California should have a 2.5 GPA or higher, while non-Californians should have a 3.0 or higher.

Complete One Application for All CSU Schools

You only need to fill out one application for all CSU schools you're interested in. You must send all previous transcripts and information on your extracurricular activities and family income. Test scores are optional to include in your CSU application.

If you're interested in the optional Educational Opportunity Program application for students from historically underserved backgrounds, there will be some more information to include in your application.

Send Your Application to Each CSU School

While you can use the same application for all schools, there is a $70 application fee for each school you submit that application to.

There are fee waivers available for eligible undergraduate applicants who have lived in California for more than a year.

Mark Your Calendar for Deadlines

The priority application filing deadline for fall enrollment is typically the previous fall (October-November). But many campuses accept applications after this period. You can use this tool to see if your campus of interest is still accepting applications.

Frequently Asked Questions About CSU Schools

Can I transfer from CSU to UC?

Transferring from a Cal State school to a UC school is possible, but not all classes will meet UC's requirements. You can get more information from Assist, California's official course transfer system. You should speak with an academic advisor to learn more about your specific circumstances.

Which CSU school is easiest to get into?

Many Cal State schools admit a high number of applicants. In fact, most CSU schools have acceptance rates above 90%. California State University, Fresno has the highest acceptance rate at 97%, making it the easiest CSU to get into.

How many CSU schools are there?

There are 23 CSU campuses based throughout the state. Whether you want to study in LA or the San Francisco Bay Area, you can find a Cal State school.

The California State University system includes a few universities that don't have Cal State in their name —like San Diego State University and Sonoma State University.

What is the most popular CSU school?

The CSU schools with the most applicants are San Diego State University and CSU Long Beach, with 67,000+ applicants at each institution. Cal Poly comes in third with over 54,000 applicants. As such, these universities tend to have lower acceptance rates.

Which CSU campus is the nicest?

Many CSU campuses are in beautiful locations and have great features. Cal Poly's College of Architecture and Environmental Design has an outdoor experimental laboratory and maker spaces with welding tools and 3D printers. The campus also has great dining options for every lifestyle.

What Are the Best Cal State Schools? | BestColleges (2024)