
California State University (CSU) is a public university system in California and the largest public university system in the United States. It consists of 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres, enrolling 461,612 students. CSU is known for its strong focus on teaching, with faculty spending approximately 30 hours a week teaching and advising students. The CSU system has witnessed varying enrolment trends across its campuses, with some campuses experiencing enrolment gains, such as San Diego State University, while others have seen declines, like Sonoma State. Colorado State University, another notable CSU institution, has enjoyed enrolment successes, with a five-year average enrolment of over 33,400 students and a recent undergraduate enrolment of 26,168.
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California State University (CSU) has 461,612 students
California State University (CSU) is a public university system in California, with 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres. As of 2024, the total number of students enrolled across the CSU system was 461,612, with a staff count of 63,375. This makes it the largest public university system in the United States.
The CSU system has its roots in the California State Normal Schools, which were first chartered in 1857. It was established in its current form in 1960 as part of the California Master Plan for Higher Education. The CSU system is officially incorporated as The Trustees of California State University and is headquartered in Long Beach, California.
The CSU system has a diverse range of academic programmes, with students and faculty from a variety of departments, including Life, Physical, Computer, and Clinical Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, Math, and Business. The CSU Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) is a notable initiative that aims to develop a professional biotechnology workforce. CSUPERB provides grant funding, organises symposiums, sponsors industry-relevant curricula, and acts as a liaison between the CSU and various external partners.
The CSU system has experienced fluctuations in enrolment numbers across its campuses. For instance, San Diego State University has led the system in enrolment gains since 2015, closely followed by Cal Poly Pomona and San Marcos. On the other hand, Sonoma State and Cal State Los Angeles have faced challenges with declining enrolment, resulting in financial constraints and the implementation of cost-cutting measures.
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CSU's 23 campuses and 7 centres
The California State University (CSU) is a public university system in California and is the largest public university system in the United States. It was established in 1960 as part of the California Master Plan for Higher Education, with roots dating back to 1857. The CSU system consists of 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres, including the newest addition, California State University, Channel Islands. Together, these campuses and centres enrol 461,612 students and employ 63,375 faculty and staff members.
The CSU system is officially incorporated as The Trustees of the California State University and is headquartered in Long Beach, California. It is one of three public higher education systems in California, alongside the University of California (UC) and the California Community Colleges systems. The CSU attempts to accept applicants from the top one-third of California high school graduates, while the UC system aims for the top one-eighth. To encourage students to attend a California community college first, both university systems give priority to California community college transfer students.
The CSU system focuses on teaching, with faculty spending approximately 30 hours a week teaching and advising students and about 10 hours on research and creative activities. The California State University Program for Education and Research in Biotechnology (CSUPERB) is a notable initiative within the CSU system, providing grant funding, organising symposiums, sponsoring industry-responsive curriculum development, and liaising with various partners to develop a professional biotechnology workforce. The Hospitality Management Education Initiative (HMEI) is another example of the CSU's industry-responsive curriculum, addressing the shortage of hospitality leaders in California.
In conclusion, the CSU's 23 campuses and seven centres offer a vast array of educational opportunities to a large and diverse student body. With its focus on teaching and industry-relevant curriculum, the CSU system plays a crucial role in higher education in California and the United States.
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CSU Monterey Bay's 16% enrolment increase
California State University (CSU) is a public university system in California, with 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres. Together, they enrol 461,612 students.
CSU Monterey Bay is a higher education institution located in Monterey County, California. In 2022, the university received 12,568 undergraduate applications, a 25.4% annual growth. Of those applicants, 11,611 students were accepted for enrolment, representing a 92.4% acceptance rate. This is an increase of 16% from 2020, when 93% of enrolled first-time students submitted SAT scores with their applications.
In 2022, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at CSU Monterey Bay were General Business Administration & Management (with 265 degrees awarded), General Psychology (231 degrees), and Computer Science (191 degrees). Students enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs are most commonly Hispanic or Latino (53.9% of the student population), followed by White students (16%).
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San Diego State University's enrolment gains
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California, and the third-oldest university in the 23-member California State University (CSU) system. Founded in 1897, SDSU is the oldest higher education institution in San Diego. The university comprises eight colleges and offers over 200 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
SDSU has experienced significant enrolment gains over the years, with notable fluctuations in its student population. In 1987, SDSU had a student body of 35,945 full-time equivalent students (FTES), making it the largest university in California and the tenth-largest university in the United States at that time. However, in 1993, enrolment dropped to 26,800, the lowest since 1973, due to a financial crisis.
Despite this setback, SDSU's enrolment has generally been on an upward trajectory. In Fall 2013, SDSU had the highest number of doctoral students enrolled in its history, with 534 students seeking doctorates. This was also the highest number of doctorate-seeking students across the entire 23-campus CSU system. SDSU continued to attract a large number of doctoral students, enrolling the most in its history in 2015. The university also consistently receives a high volume of undergraduate applications, receiving over 90,000 applications for the Fall 2024 semester.
In Fall 2022, SDSU achieved an all-time high enrolment record, with a student body of nearly 37,000. This number increased further in Fall 2024, with the university enrolling over 38,000 students. SDSU's enrolment gains have solidified its reputation as one of the largest research universities in California. The university's alumni base has also grown significantly, now boasting more than 400,000 alumni.
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Colorado State University's 26,168 students
Colorado State University (CSU) is a public institution founded in 1870. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 26,168 students as of Fall 2023, with a campus size of 4,773 acres. The student body is diverse, with 60% of undergraduates being Colorado residents, 25% being students of colour, and 24% being first-generation students. The gender distribution is 45% male and 55% female.
The CSU Fort Collins campus has seen a boost in enrollment numbers, with a total student headcount of 33,648 in 2023, an increase of 193 (0.05%) over Fall 2022. This increase is driven by a record number of undergraduate students (26,168), the second-largest number in the campus's history, as well as increases in graduate students (6,775) and online students (4,563).
CSU Pueblo, another campus within the CSU system, has also experienced an overall enrollment increase over Fall 2022, with a particular rise in new freshmen and graduate students. The CSU System has invested $11.2 million in the Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses over a three-year period to support student success, improve equity, and increase retention and graduation rates. This includes additional funding to support rural student enrollment and enhance connectivity with rural school districts.
Colorado State University's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is #148 among National Universities. It offers a semester-based academic calendar with in-state tuition and fees of $13,373 and out-of-state tuition and fees of $34,751. The university fosters an environment that inspires students to pursue their full potential and encourages exploration inside and outside the classroom.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2024, the CSU system has a total enrollment of 461,612 students across its 23 campuses and seven off-campus centers.
Colorado State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 26,168 students as of Fall 2023. The university's five-year average enrollment is over 33,400 students.
Yes, there are variations in enrollment trends across the different CSU campuses. For instance, San Diego State University has led the system in enrollment gains since 2015, while Sonoma State and Cal State Los Angeles have experienced significant enrollment drops.
Enrollment numbers can have financial implications for CSU campuses. Campuses with higher enrollment may receive more funding, while lower-enrolled campuses may face financial challenges and have to implement cost-cutting measures. Additionally, enrollment numbers can influence the demand for student housing, with some campuses expanding their housing options while others may have vacancies.











































