Each year, all 23 campuses of the California State University (CSU) system have been praised for providing quality education, ensuring access and affordability, and serving as an engine of social mobility. The 23 campuses have been recognized for their excellence in both the country and the state, offering unparalleled value with high-quality academic programs at some of the most affordable tuition costs in the country. The transformative power of a CSU degree to propel disadvantaged students to higher-paying jobs is recognized year after year. To determine the best of the best, our California State University Top 10 list was developed with a focus on school quality, results and return on investment (ROI).
It also considers a number of other factors, such as retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-teacher ratio, median income, and cost of attendance. You can find the entire CollegeVine ratings here. At number one on our list is Los Angeles, which ranks number one in the U. S.
based on the upward mobility of its students according to a study published in The New York Times. The Equality of Opportunity Project study examines the role of colleges and universities in helping people move up the income ladder. Cal State LA has driven a higher percentage of students from the lowest fifth of income to the top fifth in the U. S.
UU. The records of more than 2,000 colleges and universities were studied. San Diego State University (SDSU) is number two on our list. There are a lot of things you love about SDSU, starting with the near-perfect climate and great campus. San Diego is never too hot or too cold, and it gets a lot of sun, making it ideal for exploring what Cosmopolitan ranked as the eighth most beautiful campus in the country and one of the best surf schools in the country.
SDSU also leads in the classroom; for example, SDSU was only the second university in the U. And the first in California to offer a specialization in LGBTQ+ Studies. Cal Poly Pomona is number three on our list. It is one of three polytechnic universities in the California State University System. The school is always linked to W.
K. Kellogg who donated the core of the Cal Poly campus to the California State University System, provided that the land was used for educational purposes and traditional horse shows. Today, horses and students call Cal Poly Pomona home; the university is committed to caring for Kellogg's herd of horses in perpetuity. The fourth spot on our list goes to San Jose State University (SJSU). Founded in 1857, SJSU has the distinction of being the first public institution of higher education in California and the sixth oldest public university in the country.
San Jose State is Silicon Valley's largest provider of business graduates and entry-level engineers, and it has a strong reputation for improving economic mobility for its students. Number five on our list is CSU Fullerton. CSU Fullerton is also home to more than 1,200 international students from 72 different countries. In addition to its 388-acre main campus, CSU Fullerton also has a 1,011-acre farm located in one of the richest agricultural areas in the world. In 1997, Fresno State Winery became the first commercial winery located on a college campus; students produce up to 10,000 boxes of 20 or more varieties per year with grapes sourced from its 120-acre campus vineyard. Number six on our list is Fresno State University (FSU).
Don't think it's just farmland that surrounds FSU; Fresno is California's sixth largest city and both Yosemite National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are just an hour away. Founded in 1887, FSU is also one of two oldest schools in California's university system and sixth oldest public university in the country. Number seven on our list is CSU Chico. Not only is it one of Cal State's best schools but CSU Chico is also one of its greenest; it ranks 49th on Sierra Club's list of great schools - a list that ranks greenest universities published annually - helping support its green environment. Number eight on our list is San Francisco State University (SF State). SF State attracts students you would expect at a school located in one of America's most vibrant cities; The Wall Street Journal ranks SF State 5th in nation for diversity - its Ethnic Studies College was first its kind when established 1968 - diversity extends beyond campus into industries students find themselves after college. Number nine on our list is Stanislaus State University (SSU).
Its location in California's Central Valley makes it an ideal starting point for students looking to explore all that Golden State has to offer; it's within walking distance from Bay Area, Monterey, Big Sur, Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada and state capital. And finally at number ten on our list is Cal Maritime University (CMU). CMU ranks 11th (for in-state students) and 17th (for out-of-state students) on Payscale's list of best value universities (for context Stanford 18th on list Harvard 19th). Students can expect their time at CMU to pay off; CMU offers more than 80 student-led organizations 14 college sports 10 sororities six fraternities. Applications for Cal State schools are made online through Cal State; only students who have met 15-unit A-G requirement are eligible be admitted California State University System school - California residents will need score 2.5 GPA these classes consider admission while out-of-state students will require 3.0 GPA these core classes - visit Health Watch COVID-19 updates find information about employee return campus student return campus California State University Emergency Notification.
