California State University : Ranking, Courses, Fees, Admissions 2025

Known as one of the largest public university systems in the US, California State University awards half of the state’s bachelor’s degrees. Consisting of 23 campuses and seven off-campus centres, CSU system as it is denoted enrolls over 450,000+ students annually. Let us understand everything about California State University, the CSU system and corresponding details for admissions in this article.

About CSU

California State University is the USA's largest public university system and amalgamates 23 different universities. CSU system was founded in 1960 under the Donahoe-Higher Education Act which brought together individual California State Colleges and Universities under a central administrative structure, however, the first campus of CSU - San José State University, was founded in 1857. The CSU system is known for its diversity, high enrollment/acceptance rates, diverse programs and affordable cost of studying. Since California State University is known for its diversity and inclusion, millions of students apply for admission here. Annually, 450,000 students are enrolled across 23 campuses of the CSU system. 

Highlights

Founded in	1960
Type of Institution	Four-Year Public University System
Total Universities under CSU	23 Universities | 7 Off-campus centres
Courses offered	4,000+
Overall Enrollment (Fall 2023)	454,640 students
International Students Enrollment	3.3%
Average Tuition Fee	UG: USD 12,400 annually | PG: USD 13,000
Acceptance Rate Trend	High to Moderate
Average Scholarship Amount	USD 12,300 per applicant
Alumni Network	400,000+

California State University History

Evolving from its 1960 roots, the California State University system underwent several transformations. First known as The California State Colleges, it became The California State University and Colleges in 1972. By 1982, it had adopted its current name. At present, CSU offers a diverse range of educational opportunities through its comprehensive and polytechnic universities, as well as the specialized California State University Maritime Academy, which joined the system in 1995.

CSU is renowned for its quality education, excellence in applied research and affordable education for all students irrespective of their backgrounds. Since CSU is one of the largest public university systems in the USA, it records high acceptance rates in the country. Applicants can take admissions across a set of 23 campuses falling under the California State University system.

All universities under the CSU system follow a similar admission intake system, fee structure and admission process. However, there may be additional requirements in exceptional cases, depending on the university. Applicants planning to apply for admission to USA and looking for a cheap option can hands-down choose California State University. A wide variety of course options, scholarships and work opportunities are available while studying here. Check out in detail about California State University, its campuses, and other details.

California State University (CSU) Campuses

23 campuses fall under the California State University system. The CSU campuses are all located within the state of California. Here is a list of CSU campuses below for reference:

1. California State University, Los Angeles
2. California State University, Chico
3. CSU, East Bay
4. Cal State Poly University, Humboldt
5. CSU, Bakersfield
6. CSU, Monterey Bay
7. California State University, Sacramento
8. San Diego State University
9. San Francisco State University
10. Sonoma State University
11. CSU, Fresno
12. CSU, Fullerton
13. Cal State Polytechnic University, Pomona
14. CSU, San Bernardino
15. California State University, San Marcos
16. California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
17. CSU, Channel Islands
18. CSU, Dominguez Hills
19. California State University, Long Beach
20. CSU, Northridge
21. San José State University (SJSU)
22. California State University, Sacramento
23. California State University, Stanislaus

Apart from these 23 campuses, California State University also has seven off-campuses. The majority of the enrollments happen in the main 23 campuses of Cal State University. 

California State University Rankings 2025

In terms of world university rankings, CSU has various campuses which make it to the list of top universities in 2025. Based on QS global rankings and Shiksha's grading, here are the rankings for different universities falling under California State University:

CSU System Universities	Shiksha Grading	QS - World University Rankings 2025
California State University, East Bay	C++	-
California State University, Sacramento	C	-
San Francisco State University	B	1201-1401+
California State University, Fresno	C+
California State University, Fullerton	C++	-
California State University - LA (CSULA)	B+	#1401+
California State University, San Bernardino	B	-
California Polytechnic State University	C	#1401+
California State University - Long Beach	B	#1401+
California State University, Northridge	C	-
California State University, Sacramento	C	-
San Diego State University	B++	1001-1201
San José State University	C	-

Only five universities of CSU system have been ranked for the year 2025 as per QS. These universities are popular in California and have recorded enrollments above 20,000 annually. Another popular global rankings agency - THE, has not ranked any universities under the California State University system. 

California State University Courses

There are more than 4,000 courses offered at CSU overall, thus, each university on average has around 150-200 courses that are offered. There may be more course offerings as well, depending on the size of the campus. Courses across Business, Technology, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering and Biological Sciences are offered at CSU. There are various STEM courses also available for international students at Cal State University. 

Top Courses at CSU Campuses

Some of the most popular courses available for international students across different universities of CSU are as follows:

California State University System Institutions	Establishment Year	Popular Courses Offered
California State University, Chico	1887	BS in Mechanical Engineering, BS in Computer Engineering, MS in Data Science & Analytics, BBA, MBA, and others.
California State University, East Bay	1957	BS in Industrial Engineering (STEM), BSN, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Marketing Analytics, MIM and others.
California State Poly University, Humboldt	1913	BBA, MS in Biology, MBA, MA in Counselling, MA in Applied Anthropology and others.
California State University, Monterey Bay	1994	BS in Computer Science, BBA, BS in Mathematics and others
California State University, Sacramento	1947	BS in Civil Engineering, BS in Computer Science, BHM, International MBA, MA in Economics, and others.
San Francisco State University	1899	BS in Civil Engineering, Flex MBA, MS in Business Analytics, MSN, MPH and others.
Sonoma State University	1960	BS in Computer Science, BS in Electrical Engineering, Exec MBA and others.
California State University, Fresno	1911	BBA, BJMC, BS in Electrical Engineering, MS in Computer Science, MS in Nursing, MBA and others.
California State University, Fullerton	1957	BS in Computer Science, MS in Accounting & Finance | Taxation | Accountancy, Flex MBA and others.
California State University, Los Angeles	1947	MBA (General), MBA (Marketing), BA in Journalism, BBA, MIM, MS, and others.
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona	1938	BS in Computer Science, BS in Chemical Engineering, MBA, MS in Computer Science and others.
California State University, San Bernardino	1965	MBA, MS in Finance, Professional MBA, BS in Computer Engineering and others.
California State University, San Marcos	1989	BS in Software Engineering, BS in Electrical Engineering, Specialised MBA, MS in Computer Science, and others.
California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo	1901	BS in Civil Engineering, BS in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Computer Science, MBA, MS in Business Analytics, and others.
California State University, Channel Islands	2002	BS in Mechatronics Engineering, BBA, BJMC, MS in Computer Science, MBA, and others.
California State University, Bakersfield	1965	BS in Electrical Engineering, BBA, BSN, MIM, MS in Computer Science, and others.
California State University, Dominguez Hills	1960	BS in Computer Science, MBA, MS in Cyber Security, MS in Computer Science and others.
California State University, Long Beach	1949	BHM, BSN, BS in Electrical Engineering, MPH, MIM, Evening MBA and others.
California State University, Northridge	1958	BS in Computer Science, MEM, MIM, MS in Business Analytics and others.
San Diego State University	1897	BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Civil Engineering, BBA, MEng in Mechanical Engineering, MBA, and others.
San José State University	1857	BS in Aerospace Engineering, BA in Anthropology, BS in Biological Sciences, MPH, MSN and others.
California State University, Stanislaus	1957	BA in Biological Sciences, BS in Computer Science, MS in Ecology & Sustainability and others.

Based on the above data, some of the most popular courses offered across CSU institutions include:

• MBA
• Computer Science
• Civil Engineering
• Industrial Technology
• BBA
• Public Health (professional degrees)
• Business Analytics
• Nursing 

To understand if the preferred course of study is offered, applicants must check shortlisted universities falling under the CSU system and then apply for admissions. 

California State University Admissions 2025

Annually, California State University in totality offer admissions to over four million students (both domestic and international). The admission stats, enrollment, acceptance rates and in some cases requirements may also vary with each of the universities. To understand, the admission stats, we have compiled the latest data for all 23 campuses of California State Universities. 

CSU Admission Stats

Across 14 campuses of CSU, around 454,640 students were enrolled for the Fall 2023 intake. Check out the campus-wise enrollment bifurcation for Cal State University below:

CSU Fall 2023 Enrollment Campus-Wise
​​​CSU Bakersfield: ​9,399	​CSU Channel Islands: ​5,127	​CSU Chico: 13,999
​CSU Dominguez Hills: 14,299​	​CSU East Bay: 11,771	​Cal Poly, Humboldt: 5,976
​CSU Fullerton: 41,326​	​​CSU Fresno: 23,832	​CSU Long Beach: 39,530​
​CSU Los Angeles: 24,673	​Maritime Academy: 761	CSU Monterey Bay: ​6,271
​CSU Northridge: ​36,368	​CSU Pomona: ​26,415	​CSU Sacramento: ​30,193
​CSU San Bernardino: ​18,510	​San Diego: 37,538	​San Francisco: ​23,700
​CSU San José: 32,229	​Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo: ​22,279	​CSU San Marcos: 13,932
​CSU Sonoma: 5,865	​CSU Stanislaus: ​9,440	-

CSU Acceptance Rate Trends

The acceptance rate trends for various universities falling under the CSU system have been given below from high to low for the year 2022 the highest acceptance rates in USA are as follows:

• CSU Fresno: 97% acceptance rate
• CSU ​Stanislaus: 95% acceptance rate
• CSU Sacramento: 94% acceptance rate
• Sonoma State University: 94% acceptance rate
• CSU San Marcos: 93% acceptance rate
• CSU Channel Islands: 93% acceptance rate
• CSU Monterey Bay: 93% acceptance rate
• San Francisco State University: 93% acceptance rate
• Cal Poly: 91% acceptance rate
• CSULA: 91% acceptance rate
• CSU Dominguez Hills: 90% acceptance rate

Some of the CSU system universities that recorded low acceptance rates are as follows:

• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO): 33%
• San Diego State University: 38% 
• CSU Long Beach (CSULB): 47%

So, applicants applying for CSU Fresno can expect admissions, because the the selection rates are the highest here among other CSU system universities. On the other hand, CSULB records the lowest acceptance rates for admission. Thus, those look

How to Apply at California State University?

International applicants planning to apply for either undergraduate or postgraduate courses at any of the California State University will have to:

• Sign up on the Cal State Apply portal.
• Log in to the Cal State Apply portal and complete the admission application.
• Upload necessary documents depending on the course of study program in the materials section on the application.
• Submit IELTS or TOEFL scores for English language proficiency proof.
• Applicants can submit SAT or ACT scores if they wish to, it is NOT mandatory for undergraduate admissions.
• However, GRE or GMAT scores will be mandatory for admission to postgraduate courses across CSU institutions for international students. 
• Submit financial documentation with appropriate proofs.
• Save and apply with a fee of USD 70 (non-refundable).

Documents Required for UG/PG Admissions at CSU

Some of the documents required for admission to various institutions of California State University are as follows:

• Completed Affidavit of Financial Support and bank statement
• Copy of your passport photo page
• Unofficial transcripts
• Bachelor’s degree for postgraduate admissions along with GPA scores
• Score reports of IELTS/TOEFL and SAT/ACT (optional) or GRE/GMAT.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
• Admission essays
• Resume

Upcoming CSU Admission Deadlines 2025

Admissions at California State University are spread across different intakes - Fall, Spring, Summer and Winter. Applications for admission at CSU are accepted all around the year. Following are the deadlines and intake terms at California State University: 

CSU Admission Terms	Priority Application Filing Period
Fall Intake in USA 2025	October 1, 2024 – December 2, 2024 (Ongoing)
Spring Intake in USA 2025	August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2024 (Passed)
Summer Intake in USA 2025	February 1, 2025 - February 28, 2025
​Winter Intake in USA 2025	June 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024 (Passed)

Applicants planning to apply at any of the 23 campuses of California State University, can prepare for their applications based on the above, upcoming deadlines. If you are stuck between which intake to choose, then check out some expert advice at - Admission Intakes in USA - Which One to Choose?

California State University Fees 2025

The tuition fee for California State University is common for all institutions. Usually, the cost of studying in USA is on the higher side, but in the case of CSU, the fee is quite affordable. However, there are additional fees added to base costs for international students planning to enrol for any of the universities falling under the CSU system. Based on credits also, international students may have to pay additional fees. More details are given below.

California State University Tuition Fees

Here is the tuition fee at California State University for international students:

Expense Head	CSU Undergraduate Fee	CSU Postgraduate Fee
Tuition Cost	USD 6,084	USD 7,608
Fee (for international students)	USD 1,800	USD 1,800
Per semester unit fee	USD 420	USD 420*

*Business and professional courses incur an additional fee of USD 285 per semester unit along with the above-mentioned fee. 

Thus, based on the credits per semester, the fee will be charged to international students enrolled at California State University. Since the costs are dynamic it is advised that applicants double-check the costs and then apply for admission. Check out the cost of living in USA before applying as an international student at CSU. 

California State University Scholarships

In terms of financial aid, California State University offers various scholarships. In 2022-23, around USD 4.7 billion was allocated to 379,000 students. Per student, an average scholarship of USD 12,300 was received at CSU. While there are in-state scholarships for domestic applicants, there is a wide variety of external scholarships as well for applicants coming from outside of the USA. To name a few:

• Global Study Awards
• Tata Scholarship
• Inlaks Scholarships (University Courses)
• Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
• K.C. Mahindra Scholarships For Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
• JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship

Check out some of the popular scholarships in USA available for Indian applicants. 

Why Study at California State University?

There are several reasons why international students should choose California State University system institutions for admission. Some of the most important reasons are as follows:

• There are around 23 campuses or universities which make up the CSU system. Thus, applicants can choose to apply anywhere in these institutions through a common application portal - Cal State Apply. 
• CSU is known for offering admission to students from different ethnicities, economic backgrounds and academically diverse student pools. 
• The average tuition fee for international students across various institutions of California State University is lower than other popular public universities in USA. CSU thus, offers the most affordable rates nationwide. CSU is one of the US universities offering financial aid to international students as well.
• The bigger the university, the higher the chance of admission. Thus, California State University is one of the largest universities to study in the USA and offers admissions to over 450,000 students annually. 
• California State University institutions have also recorded some of the highest acceptance rates (higher range: 91%-97%, lower range: 33%-47%) over the years, which is also a plus point for international applicants.
• Apart from parting education, California State University institutions together generate USD 26.9 billion in industry activity as students stay back after studying.
• CSU has also been helpful over the years to be able to have created over 209,400 jobs annually. Thus, opening doors for placements and jobs for students after graduation in USA. 

These reasons together are essential to understand why an applicant should shortlist one or two universities from the California State University system. 

CSU Campus Life

CSU campus life is vibrant and full of opportunities. There are 1,000+ communities (overall across CSU) and a variety of clubs for sports and extracurriculars. In terms of size, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) spans across 1,300 acres and is the biggest campus among others in the CSU system. On the other hand, CSU Maritime Academy has the smallest campus spanning 82 acres of land. It would interest applicants applying to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo because it is one the hardest CSU institutions to get admission into. Cal State LA is the most popular university among applicants and is known to have ranked #1 in USA for the upward mobility of its students. It is interesting to note that, San José State University, founded in 1857 was the oldest university but, is the first one to become the face of the California State University system. Also, California State University, Channel Islands is the latest addition to the CSU system of institutions. It was founded in the year 2002 and began admitting students in 2023. 

To conclude, California State University offers a diverse range of academic programs at affordable tuition fees, making it an excellent choice for international students seeking a high-quality education in the United States. With its numerous campuses, strong academic reputation, and diverse student body, CSU provides a supportive and stimulating learning environment. Applicants can carefully consider their academic interests and financial needs by selecting the best CSU campus to embark on their academic journey.

Need more clarity and assistance for choosing the right university from the CSU system? Sign up for our free Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a callback from our team of expert counsellors.