Csu Universities: Student Numbers And You

The California State University (CSU) is the largest public university system in the United States. It consists of 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres, enrolling around 450,000 students and employing over 63,000 faculty and staff members. In the fall of 2024, CSU's enrollment rose to 461,000 students, driven by record gains among first-time, first-year students.

How many students attend each CSU university?

The California State University (CSU) system is the largest public university system in the United States, with 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres. In total, CSU serves over 450,000 students, with a recent figure of 461,000 students reported for Fall 2024.

CSU's 23 campuses include comprehensive universities and polytechnic universities, as well as the only maritime academy in the western United States. The system's oldest university, San José State University, was founded in 1857 and was California's first public higher education institution. The newest, California State University Channel Islands, opened in Fall 2002.

• California State University, Bakersfield
• California State University Channel Islands: opened in Fall 2002 with freshmen arriving in Fall 2003
• California State University, Chico
• California State University, Dominguez Hills: 9,163 students as of Fall 2005
• California State University, East Bay: 21,480 students as of Fall 2023
• California State University, Fresno: 26,168 students as of Fall 2023
• California State University, Fullerton
• California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt: formerly known as California State University, Humboldt
• California State University, Long Beach: 21,480 students as of Fall 2023
• California State University, Los Angeles: 21,480 students as of Fall 2023
• California State University Maritime Academy
• California State University, Monterey Bay
• California State University, Northridge
• California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
• California State University, Sacramento: 21,480 students as of Fall 2023
• California State University, San Bernardino
• San Diego State University
• San Francisco State University
• San José State University
• California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo: to absorb Cal State Maritime in 2025
• California State University San Marcos
• Sonoma State University
• California State University, Stanislaus

While enrolment figures are not available for every campus, it is clear that CSU's universities vary in size, with some campuses serving tens of thousands of students, while others serve fewer than 10,000.

How does CSU enrolment compare to previous years?

In Fall 2023, Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins reported an increase in total student enrolment, with a headcount of 33,648, up by 193 students (.05%) from Fall 2022. The total enrolment was boosted by the second-largest number of undergraduates in the campus's history (26,168), a record number of veterinary students (609), a record number of online students (4,563), and an increasing number of graduate students (6,775). The total student body was made up of 45% men and 55% women.

The CSU System's flagship campus welcomed 5,299 new students in Fall 2023, the third-largest incoming class in the University's history, and just 269 students short of the previous year's record-setting enrolment. The entering class for Fall 2023 was 30% racially or ethnically diverse, with 25% identifying as first-generation students, and 9% coming from rural communities.

CSU Pueblo, another campus within the CSU System, also reported an increase in overall enrolment in Fall 2023, driven by an increase in new freshmen and a significant jump in graduate students. Total enrolment at CSU Pueblo increased to 3,657, a 3.6% increase over the previous year, with 982 new freshman and transfer students.

Compared to previous years, CSU campuses have reported increased total enrolment for 2023. The CSU System has invested $11.2 million in the Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses over a three-year period (starting in 2021) to support student success, close equity gaps, and increase retention and graduation rates. This investment, along with CSU's commitment to accessibility and affordability, has likely contributed to the enrolment increases seen in 2023.

How many students at CSU universities are first-generation students?

The number of first-generation students at CSU universities is difficult to pinpoint due to varying definitions of the term "first-generation student". However, estimates suggest that a significant portion of the student body across CSU universities are first-generation students.

California State University (Cal State or CSU)

At Cal State, the percentage of first-generation students depends on the definition used. According to one scenario, 31% of CSU students are first-generation, while another definition puts the percentage at 52%. This discrepancy highlights the challenge in defining and identifying first-generation students accurately.

Colorado State University (CSU Pueblo and CSU Fort Collins)

At CSU Pueblo, about 1,100 students, or 44% of the total resident student population, are first-generation. Meanwhile, at CSU Fort Collins, more than 5,600 enrolled students, or approximately 25% of the total student population, identify as first-generation.

Impact of Varying Definitions

The lack of a consistent definition of "first-generation student" can lead to confusion and uncertainty among students. It also affects admissions and funding decisions, as the number of first-generation students can influence the amount of financial support allocated to institutions.

Support for First-Generation Students

CSU universities recognize the importance of providing support to first-generation students to ensure their success. This includes initiatives such as scholarships, tuition assistance grants, mentorship, tutoring, and connections. These efforts aim to address the unique challenges faced by first-generation students, who often attend college at lower rates and graduate less frequently than their peers.

How many students at CSU universities are from underrepresented backgrounds?

The California State University (Cal State or CSU) system is the largest public university system in the United States, with 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres. In total, 457,992 students are enrolled in the CSU system, which is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

CSU is the leading producer of bachelor's degrees in the country, with over 110,000 graduates each year. In the 2015-16 academic year, CSU awarded 62% of bachelor's degrees granted to Hispanic students in California and over half of the bachelor's degrees earned by the state's Latino, African American, and Native American students combined.

In recent years, CSU has made significant efforts to enhance programs for underserved communities. For example, 56% of bachelor's degrees granted to Latinos in California are from the CSU system, and 60% of bachelor's degrees awarded to Filipinos. Additionally, in the fall of 2008, 42% of incoming students were from California Community Colleges.

While CSU has made strides in improving access for underrepresented students, there are still concerns about the representation of certain groups. For instance, Black students are somewhat underrepresented in the CSU system, with their share of freshman enrolments dropping from 7.2% in 2007 to 4.5% in 2020.

Furthermore, the CSU system faces challenges in meeting the demand for admission from eligible students. According to a report by The Campaign for College Opportunity, more eligible students are applying to CSU campuses than they can accommodate. This has resulted in a lack of capacity and has made it more difficult for qualified Latino and Black students to gain admission.

To address these issues, the CSU system is working on a strategic plan to allocate more than 9,000 newly enrolled students to high-demand campuses. Additionally, there are plans to increase investment in housing and financial aid to improve access and affordability for students.

How does CSU enrolment compare to UC enrolment?

The California State University (CSU) and the University of California (UC) are two highly regarded public university systems in California. The CSU system is the largest public university system in the United States, with 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres, enrolling 457,992 students. The UC system, on the other hand, has 10 campuses, nine of which offer both undergraduate and graduate education, and one graduate-only school. The UC system enrols around 237,000 students, with UCLA having the biggest undergraduate enrolment of 32,119.

In terms of enrolment, the CSU system is much larger than the UC system, with nearly twice as many undergraduates. The CSU system enrols approximately 435,000 to 477,466 undergraduates, while the UC system enrols more than 225,000 to 294,662 undergraduates. The CSU system has a broader spread of enrolment across its campuses, ranging from smaller schools with just over 900 undergraduates to larger schools with around 35,000 to 40,000 undergraduates. The UC system, on the other hand, has larger schools, typically with 20,000 or more undergraduates.

The CSU system is known for catering to minority and low-income students and has a diverse student body, with Hispanics/Latinos making up the largest ethnic/racial group, followed by non-Hispanic whites and Asian Americans. The UC system also has a diverse student body, but with Asians/Pacific Islanders, whites, and Hispanics/Latinos as the three largest ethnic/racial groups.

The CSU system offers more than 2,700 bachelor's programs, while the UC system offers around 900 bachelor's degree programs. The CSU system is also more affordable, with lower tuition rates than the UC system. The CSU system charges around $5,700 per year for in-state tuition, while the UC system charges around $13,000. For out-of-state students, the UC system is significantly more expensive, with tuition rates of over $44,000 per year.

The UC system has lower acceptance rates than the CSU system, making it more competitive and selective. UCLA and UC Berkeley, the two highest-ranked UC schools, accept only around 14% to 17% of applicants. The CSU system has higher acceptance rates, with the most selective schools accepting around 35% to 38% of applicants, while the least selective schools admit up to 90% of applicants.

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