UC vs. CSU: How Do the Two University Systems Compare?

California'southward two public university systems include over 30 schools. Simply how do the UC schools compare to the CSU schools? Find out in this guide.

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UC vs. CSU: How Do the Two University Systems Compare?

  • Birthday, UC and CSU schools enroll over 660,000 undergraduates.
  • UC schools provide a more traditional atmosphere with a lower acceptance charge per unit.
  • CSU schools enroll a more various pupil trunk and accuse lower tuition rates.
  • Both university systems offering benefits and drawbacks.

California is abode to two extremely popular public university systems: The University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU). Together, these systems enroll more than 660,000 undergraduates, attracting students from all over the world.

Despite their shared renown, these two schoolhouse systems differ in terms of factors similar pupil experience, toll, and access requirements. For example, whereas the UC arrangement appears ofttimes on all-time colleges rankings lists, the CSU schools are considered far more affordable.

Larn more about how the UC schools and CSU schools compare, and get tips on which organization may be a better fit for you.

What Are the UC Schools?

Founded in 1868, the Academy of California system predates the California State Academy arrangement by nearly a century. The UC system comprises ten schools, nine of which enroll undergraduates. The 10 UC schools include top-ranked institutions like UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego.

Compared to the Cal State schools, the UC schools generally report lower acceptance rates, with UCLA and UC Berkeley accepting just 14% and 17%, respectively, of first-year applicants in fall 2020. Each twelvemonth, UCLA alone receives over 100,000 applications.

More than 225,000 undergraduates enroll at all UC schools. Several factors attract students, including the organisation's strong inquiry programs, its Nobel Prize-winning faculty, and its earth-class reputation.

List of UC Schools
School Nickname(s) Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2020) Acceptance Rate (Fall 2020)
University of California, Berkeley UC Berkeley; Berkeley; Cal; California 30,799 17%
Academy of California, Davis UC Davis; UCD 31,162 46%
University of California, Irvine UC Irvine; UCI 29,638 30%
University of California, Los Angeles UCLA 31,636 fourteen%
University of California, Merced UC Merced 8,276 85%
Academy of California, Riverside UC Riverside; UCR 22,693 66%
University of California, San Diego UC San Diego; UCSD 31,842 37%
University of California, San Francisco* UC San Francisco; UCSF Northward/A Due north/A
University of California, Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara; UCSB 23,196 37%
University of California, Santa Cruz UC Santa Cruz; UCSC 17,207 65%

Source: NCES

*Enrolls only graduate students.

What Are the Cal Country Schools?

The oldest CSU campus in San Jose predates UC Berkeley. In fact, San Jose Country University is the oldest higher in California.

The Cal State organization equally a whole, notwithstanding, dates to 1960, when the state legislature passed a program for California public colleges. Today, CSU includes 23 schools that enroll over 435,000 undergraduates.

Compared to UC schools, CSU schools maintain slightly smaller pupil bodies and report higher acceptance rates. While most UC campuses are based in California's major cities, CSU campuses tin can be establish in a mix of urban and rural areas.

The newest CSU campus in Channel Islands is i of the smallest public universities in California.

List of CSU Schools
School Nickname(s) Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2020) Credence Rate (Fall 2020)
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Cal Poly Pomona 27,912 65%
California Polytechnic Country University, San Luis Obispo Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Cal Poly 21,456 38%
California State University, Bakersfield CSU Bakersfield; CSUB nine,979 78%
California Land University, Channel Islands CSU Channel Islands; CSUCI 6,947 79%
California State Academy, Chico Chico Land 15,747 ninety%
California State University, Dominguez Hills CSU Dominguez Hills; CSUDH 16,022 81%
California Land University, East Bay Cal Land Eastward Bay thirteen,141 73%
California Land University, Fresno Fresno Country 22,704 90%
California State University, Fullerton Cal Land Fullerton; CSUF 36,975 68%
California State University, Long Beach Cal Country Long Beach; CSULB 34,216 42%
California State Academy, Los Angeles Cal State LA 22,832 76%
California State University Maritime University Cal Maritime 907 82%
California Country Academy, Monterey Bay CSU Monterey Bay; CSUMB 6,509 86%
California State University, Northridge CSUN 34,916 66%
California State University, Sacramento Sacramento State; Sac State 29,296 83%
California State University, San Bernardino Cal State San Bernardino; CSUSB 17,250 78%
California State Academy, San Marcos CSU San Marcos; CSUSM xv,040 79%
California Country Academy, Stanislaus Stanislaus State; Stan State ix,903 89%
Humboldt State Academy Humboldt Country 6,008 85%
San Diego State University San Diego State; SDSU 31,491 37%
San Francisco State Academy San Francisco State; SF Country 24,024 84%
San Jose State University San Jose State; SJSU 27,701 67%
Sonoma Land University Sonoma State; SSU vii,255 89%

Source: NCES

UC vs. CSU: vii Key Differences

What's the departure betwixt schools in the University of California system and schools in the California State University organisation? This section breaks down vii cardinal differences when comparing UC vs. CSU schools.

one. Enrollment

Overall, the CSU system enrolls nearly twice equally many undergraduates as the UC system does. That said, the average UC campus has more undergraduates.

The nine undergraduate-enrolling UC campuses average 25,000 students each, while the average CSU campus has effectually nineteen,000 undergraduates. UC Davis, UC San Diego, and San Diego State all enroll around 31,000 undergraduates.

ii. Student Demographics

While both university systems study various student bodies, CSU schools tend to enroll more historically marginalized students.

In 2018, nearly one-half of CSU students were Latino/a, compared with 29% of students at UC schools. White students made upwardly effectually 21-22% of the student population at UC and Cal Land schools, while Black students fabricated upwards less than v% in both systems.

3. Location

Most UC schools are located in California's major metropolitan centers, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area. In dissimilarity, CSU campuses comprehend more geographically diverse regions, from urban to rural.

Whether students want an urban college experience or a college town experience, both Cal State and the UC system offer opportunities.

4. Selectivity

All in all, the UC schools study lower access rates, with some continuing every bit highly selective institutions. For example, UCLA accepts simply 14% of applicants, and UC Berkeley accepts 17%. UC Santa Cruz, UC Merced, and UC Riverside are the only UC schools that take more than than 50% of applicants each year.

In dissimilarity, the CSU schools report college admission rates. The virtually selective, Cal Poly and San Diego State, accept 37-38% of applicants, while the least selective, Fresno Country and Chico State, admit a whopping 90% of applicants.

v. Cost of Omnipresence

In general, the UC schools charge higher tuition rates than the CSU schools. And due to the higher toll of living in cities with UC campuses, students may also pay more in room and board.

California residents pay an estimated $thirteen,000 per year in tuition to attend UC schools. CSU, meanwhile, charges merely $5,700 in tuition per year.

At public colleges, out-of-state students pay higher rates. At UC campuses specifically, out-of-state students typically pay over $44,000 in tuition each year.

six. Academic Offerings

While both Cal Country schools and UC schools offering a variety of academic majors, the Cal State organisation more strongly emphasizes technical and vocational programs.

At Cal Poly, for instance, undergraduate fields of study include industrial technology and packaging, culinology, and viticulture.

seven. Campus Experience

Students looking for a traditional higher experience will likely find that at a UC campus. CSU schools predominantly enroll nontraditional and commuter students, lending them a less traditional campus experience.

The UC organisation is designed more so for residential students who crave campus housing. In comparison, CSU students are more likely to alive off campus and commute to classes.

Cal State vs. UC: Which Is Right for You?

So which should you choose: a University of California school or a California State Academy school?

The answer depends on your unique circumstances. Out-of-state students can count on college acceptance rates and lower costs at CSU schools. California residents, meanwhile, may still need an impeccable GPA to gain admission to certain UC schools.

Be sure to consider factors such every bit cost, how competitive your application is, and whether you lot want to live on campus. You should likewise factor in the location of the school and majors offered.

Ultimately, many prospective California-based college students utilize to both UC and Cal State schools. A campus visit after receiving an admission letter can aid break the tie.

Oftentimes Asked Questions Well-nigh UC vs. CSU Schools

Which is better: UC or Cal State? true

UC schools tend to take a better academic reputation than Cal Country schools. When it comes to college rankings, for example, UC schools superlative many lists. Institutions like UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego rank among the best public universities in the country, while CSU schools tend to rank lower.

Even so, the better system for you depends on your needs, goals, and perspective. When California designed its public university organisation, the UC schools were meant to emphasize enquiry and theoretical subjects. In dissimilarity, Cal Land schools were meant to train learners in practical topics with focused career paths.

Another cistron to consider is toll of attendance. Whereas UC schools charge college tuition rates, CSU schools maintain much more affordable tuition rates.

Which Cal State school is the best? true

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Pomona tend to rank highest among Cal State campuses. The Cal Poly schools offer a public school education with a polytechnic focus, much similar Caltech and MIT. As public institutions, however, Cal Poly charges much lower tuition rates.

Other top-ranking Cal State schools include Cal State Long Embankment, Cal State Fullerton, and San Jose Land. Compared to UC schools, these Cal Land campuses offer higher acceptance rates. That means students with the same academic tape will be more than probable to receive an admission offering at a CSU school.

Tin I transfer from CSU to UC?

Yes, you lot can transfer from a CSU campus to a UC campus. To practise this, you must submit a transfer application during the regular fall admission cycle. A transfer option helps students with lower loftier school grades demonstrate a strong track tape at the college level. UC schools evaluate college transcripts to make access decisions.

Since the CSU and UC schools both operate equally public institutions in California, more credits may transfer than they would to other institutions.

Many students also transfer from California community colleges into the UC system. According to the UC system, around ane-3rd of undergraduates transfer into a UC school.

Why are CSU schools cheaper than UC schools?

UC schools charge around $13,000 in tuition per year, while CSU schools charge around $5,700 per year. Why are CSU schools more affordable? The cost difference comes down to fundamental differences between UC vs. CSU schools.

UC schools operate every bit residential campuses focusing on enquiry and graduate education. CSU schools, in dissimilarity, largely enroll commuter students who practise non live on campus. Their campuses also emphasize practical, career-focused training over enquiry-heavy disciplines.

Feature Epitome: Steve Proehl / The Image Banking company / Getty Images

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