Have your sights set on an outstanding higher education?
Consider the west coast and the beautiful state large enough to contain the mightiest dreams of Disneyland, Hollywood, and two amazing college systems: the University of California ( “UC”) and the California State University (“CSU” or “Cal State.”)
But be careful - don’t confuse the two!
The UC vs CSU systems are not the same.
So how do you choose between them as you’re building your college list and narrowing down your ideal college options?
If you grew up in California or have already been doing your research, you likely already know that UC has a reputation for a more traditional atmosphere and lower acceptance rate, while Cal State is known for a more diverse student body and lower tuition rate.
But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Both are great options but there are lots of factors to consider in determining which one is right for you.
This article will unpack the differences and similarities of the UC vs CSU systems in terms of:
Locations
Cost & Scholarships
Applications
Student Body & Faculty
Facilities & Resources
Above all, know that you don’t have to go through the admissions process alone.
You have so many resources available to help you navigate the confusing and stressful tasks of choosing, applying, and trying to pay for the best possible education you can get, as well as the most successful future you can imagine.
Especially if you want to start that pathway in California.
March Consulting makes it our full time job to know all of the ins and outs of getting into and funding college - because you can only know everything you need to understand in this crazy industry if you make it your fulltime job - and we are a California-born-and-bred company, so we have the experience, knowledge, and connections to guide you toward those sunny beaches.
Click the button below for details on our specific UC vs CSU private college admissions services:
Location Of UC VS CSU
Both systems offer lots of geographic options: UC’s 10 (but only 9 for undergrads) different campuses stick more to the major metropolitan areas while CSU’s 23 different campuses offer exposure to a wider range of geographic options from rural to urban.
UC Schools Map
Location is always a factor students consider in choosing their ideal schools, so consulting the UC Schools Map can help you decide if the University of California system is where you want to apply.
UC School Map
CSU Schools Map
The extensive geographic options of the California State University system are best understood by consulting the CSU Schools Map, to explore possibilities that best suit your plans and dreams for college.
Cost And Scholarships At UC VS CSU
Money conversations are the hardest.
But they are also the most important discussions to have AS SOON AS POSSIBLE when it comes to your education.
The truth is that there isn’t one perfect school for you. There are many!
So always start with what you can afford, and research creative solutions to make the financial burdens easier. That way you can focus on the fun stuff - like discovering your destiny and getting involved with opportunities you didn’t even dream were available.
March Consulting absolutely believes that all students should receive the best education possible and that no one should have to go into debt to make that happen.
If you need more information and guidance regarding managing all things moolah, please don't hesitate to reach out to us here.
UC Tuition
UC tuition is going to be around $40,000/year for residents of California and $75,000/year for non-residents of California.
Currently, 70% of the California residents attending UC get an average of $18,000 in grants and scholarships, but many pay no tuition at all.
CSU Tuition
Cal State tuition ranges from around $7,000 for undergraduate programs to $17,000 for doctorate programs, with some adjustment depending on which campus you attend and whether or not you’re a California resident.
Currently, 80% of all Cal State students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study.
Applying At UC VS CSU
While the majority of schools in the U.S. use the Common App, the California school systems do not. It is important to know that each has their own system-wide application process. In both cases, there is one application to rule them all. (At least for undergraduates.)
Click here for the application to any of the nine undergraduate UC campuses.
Click here for the application to any of the twenty-three CSU campuses.
Acceptance Rates For UC VS CSU
Recent statistics show UC ranging from an 8% (UCLA) to 90% (UC Merced) acceptance rate, with all of the other campuses falling at various points in the middle.
Cal State, on the other hand, is at around an 83% acceptance rate.
Students And Faculty Of UC VS CSU
Since you will likely be spending four years of your life in this place, not to mention hopefully making lifelong friends, it’s important to consider the culture of any potential colleges.
Do you want a large, social school or a small, specialized one?
Do you want to live in a certain environment and/or is living off-campus a possibility?
Be honest about the day-to-day elements of life that will help to ensure that you thrive at whatever college you choose to attend.
UC Is Known For
… its Nobel Prize-winning faculty, a world-class reputation, and a high graduation rate.
The UC schools are tougher to get into than the Cal State schools, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are better for *every* student.
They do accept a smaller percentage of applicants, but they also have fewer campuses and a larger amount of students on each of those campuses than CSU. Again, that’s not better or worse.
It really depends on what kind of college experience you are most interested in.
CSU Is Known For
… the most “ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation.”
More than half of the student population is made up of underrepresented minorities. One-third of attendees are the first in their families to attend college.
And that’s not where their inclusiveness ends, since 55% of the Cal State staff is female and more than 60% of their employees are Latinx or Black.
Ultimately, they may admit a higher percentage of students than the UC system, but the CSU system has a smaller number of students on each of its many campuses. What that means is that you get the connections and opportunities of a large school, while feeling like you’re at a smaller school that knows you and cares about you.
Facilities And Resources Of UC VS CSU
Do you already know what you want to study?
Do you want to play a particular sport or get involved with a certain art form?
Look carefully at the offerings of each institution you’re considering to make sure you will have opportunities to be exposed to the experiences and expertise that will best prepare you for the life you want to lead.
Again, lots of schools have great opportunities.
Make sure you’re creating a spreadsheet to find the schools that line up the best for *all* your interests and needs.
UC Offerings Include:
Unparalleled research opportunities and world-renowned facilities (for example, they oversee three national laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy. Wowsa!)
6 academic health centers and preeminent graduate degrees, especially in the health field.
160 academic majors. 800 degree programs.
422 study abroad programs in 44 countries.
CSU Offerings Include:
72 study abroad programs in 17 countries.
Producing more California educators and leaders than all other California institutions combined, as well as 4% of the entire nation’s teachers (especially in math, science, special education, and bilingual education)
Project Rebound to support and reintegrate formerly incarcerated individuals
Basic needs and graduation initiatives to support students, even outside of the classroom
To do a deeper dive on the individual offerings of the 23 different schools that make up the Cal State system, you can try out this handy Compare Cal State Campuses tool on the CSU website.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and still have questions, the expert March consultants are always available to answer your questions.
We understand that you may not even know what it is you don’t know. That’s why we’re here.
Contact us if you want to clarify your unknowns with the best insider knowledge every step of the way.
Let us show you the hidden gem options you never knew were available for making your college dreams come true.