UC vs CSU. Should You Pick A CSU Instead of a UC?

UC vs CSU. Which one is best for You? Everybody knows about the University of California system. It contains some of the top universities in the United States and typically the #1 Public University in the World (UC Berkeley or UCLA depending on the day). This leads many people to discredit the stature and validity of the California State University (CSU) system. In this article, I will walk through everything you need to know about the CSU system and how it compares to the UC system.

Watch the live YouTube video on this topic.

The Difference Between UC and CSU.

While the UC institutions are more popular, they are known primarily for their research prowess and promoting curriculum that encourages higher education. The CSU system, on the other hand, promotes a curriculum that encourages people to enter the job force. Further, there’s less theory at the undergraduate level, and more hands-on learning, which is why it may be a better fit for many students. Despite the difference in “prestige”. CSU’s commitment to job preparation is evident from their list of majors. Also offering dozens of degrees that the UC’s do not, from digital arts to teaching credentials to an actual business administration degree (not some economics program made to look like a business degree, as seen at UCSB and UCLA).
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It is commonly known and understood that the UC system has more prestige than the CSU system and that is why we have numerous students who set their goals at going to one of these schools. They do this, without really understanding their goals or what they hope to get out of their college experience. Most people don’t have goals to continue into higher education, and would rather get a job. Therefore most CSUs have great connections with many companies that feed students directly into the companies. For example, San Jose State University is in Silicon Valley. So the proximity allows it to bring amazing guest lecturers as well as a great curriculum.

Arguably, this gives SJSU more value than UC Berkeley when it comes to jobs in Silicon Valley. Moreover, there is a more tangible list of majors that can be applied to real jobs for CSUs compared to UCs.

UC and CSU Rankings

Computer Science & Engineering
- SJSU (Ranked #22 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SFSU (Ranked #29 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- Cal Poly SLO (Ranked #3 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- CSU Long Beach (Ranked #14 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SDSU (Ranked #65 in Top Public Schools West by US News)
Biology & related majors
- SJSU (Ranked #22 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SFSU (Ranked #29 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- Cal Poly SLO (Ranked #3 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- CSU Long Beach (Ranked #14 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SDSU (Ranked #65 in Top Public Schools West by US News)
- CSU Monterey Bay (Ranked #25 in Regional Universities West by US News)
Business
- SJSU (Ranked #22 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SFSU (Ranked #29 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- CSU Northridge (Ranked #40 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- CSU Long Beach (Ranked #14 in Regional Universities West by US News)
- SDSU (Ranked #65 in Top Public Schools West by US News)
All other majors
- Those closest to you + SJSU, SFSU, CSU Northridge, and SDSU

Programs not offered at UC, but you can take at CSU. (reference SJSU as an example.)

Advertising (BS)
Art: Digital Art (Animation, Graphic Design, etc) (BFA)
Aviation (BS)
Business Administration (BS)*
Communicative Disorders and Sciences (BA)
Hospitality, Tourism, & Event Management (BS)
Industrial Design (BFA)
Kinesiology (BS)
Nursing (BS)
Packaging (BS)
Public Relations (BS)
Recreation (BS)
Teaching Credentials

The Difference Between UC and CSU

The next major advantage of the CSU system is the amazing cost savings associated with going there. To clarify, the average tuition at UC schools is approximately $14K. Therefore, this is in stark contrast to the average tuition at $7K. Furthermore, many of the CSUs are optimized for commuting. This means that you can either live at home or farther away from campus. This increases the cost savings another level as campus housing tends to be more expensive.

Altogether, it is pretty conclusive that the CSUs have a lot to offer and should be a serious consideration for in-state and out-of-state students alike.

Conclusion

I hope that this has provided some perspective on the very valuable university system we have in California. UC vs CSU. Similarly, please check our YouTube channel for a live video on this topic.

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Sarah Gooch

Essay Editor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: I have five years' experience in coaching student writing, but this is my first year with ReadyEdgeGo.

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Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't just focus on achieving top grades and credentials because they look good on applications, or your education will be meaningless. The numbers and awards have their place, but stay connected to your sense of curiosity, discovery, excitement, and wonder so that the content you're learning is constantly transforming you—it's something you care about, something you remember after the final exam. Work on the aspects of yourself no one can measure, like integrity, wisdom, kindness, and compassion, so that you're not only developing your academic and career potential but also investing in the type of adult you're going to be, the person you'll have to live with after you clock out every day for the rest of your life.

Doing the hard inner work of building your character and learning deeply instead of just earning grades will set you up for a satisfying, well-rounded life. Strange as it sounds, it will also put you ahead in your academic and career goals, because colleges and hiring managers aren't looking for an empty set of data on a spreadsheet; they want a fully fleshed-out person marked by passion, creativity, and a story no one else has lived.

So go on studying hard for tests, but also spend some time asking yourself what matters in life and who your role models are. Read up on topics that amaze you, and build something incredible just for fun. Cultivate that spark of joy you feel when you're immersed in a subject that fascinates you. If you can hit that balancing act of doing your homework and meeting deadlines but also investing in the kind of person you want to be, then trust that all the rest will follow: schools will recognize you as a dynamic, all-star person, and you will also build a life of happiness, close relationships, and peace.

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