The CSU System
The California State University (CSU) is the nation's largest and most diverse four-year public university. With 22* unique universities, the CSU serves more than 450,000 students and employs more than 61,000 faculty and staff.
Each year, the university awards nearly 123,000 degrees, changing the trajectory of students' lives by opening doors to opportunities for upward mobility. More than one-quarter of CSU students are the first in their families to attend college and more than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
For one of the most affordable tuitions in the country, students learn from world-class faculty, gain valuable hands-on experiences, and receive strong career advising, empowering them to become leaders in the changing workforce.
CSU graduates are leaders in the industries that drive California's economy, including business, agriculture, entertainment, engineering, teaching, hospitality, and health care. To learn more, visit the California State University website.
A Tradition of Excellence for More than Six Decades
Since 1961, the CSU has provided an affordable, accessible, and high-quality education to millions of Californians. While each university is unique based on its curricular specialties, location and culture, every CSU is distinguished for the quality of its educational programs. All CSUs are fully accredited, provide an outstanding, broad liberal educational program and offer opportunities for students to engage in university life through the Associated Students, Inc., clubs, and service learning.
Facts
- Today, one in every 20 Americans with a college degree is a CSU graduate.
- 1 in every 10 employees in California is a CSU graduate.
- The CSU's network of more than 4 million alumni is larger than the population of 23 U.S. states.
- The CSU awards nearly half of the bachelor's degrees earned in California.
- The CSU awards more than one-quarter of California's baccalaureate nursing degrees.
- In 2024-25, the CSU prepared more of California's teachers than any other institution in the state.
- About 4% of the nation's teachers graduate from the CSU.
- In 2024-25, CSU students earned nearly 18,000 undergraduate business degrees and over 6,300 engineering degrees.
- The CSU offers more than 4,000 degree programs that align with the state's workforce demands.
- The CSU's online concurrent enrollment program gives students the ability to enroll in courses offered by other universities in the CSU system.
- Through CSU community engagement centers, 67,000 students participated in service-learning, contributing more than 1.5 million hours of service each year.
- *
Transition to 22 universities in progress (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Maritime integrating)— official fall 2026.
Governance
The CSU is governed by the Board of Trustees, most of whom are appointed by the governor and serve with faculty and student representatives. The CSU chancellor is the chief executive officer, reporting to the board. The presidents serve as the university-level chief executive officers. The trustees, chancellor and presidents develop university-wide educational policy. The presidents, in consultation with the CSU Academic Senate and other university stakeholder groups, render and implement local policy decisions.
CSU Historical Milestones
The individual California State Colleges were established as a system with a Board of Trustees and a chancellor in 1960 by the Donahoe Higher Education Act. In 1972, the system was designated as the California State University and Colleges, and in 1982 the system became the California State University (CSU). Today, the CSU is comprised of 22 member universities, including comprehensive and polytechnic universities. The oldest university—San José State University—was founded in 1857 and became the first institution of public higher education in California. The newest — California State University Channel Islands — opened in fall 2002, with freshmen arriving in fall 2003. And in 2022, the CSU in Humboldt became California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, joining San Luis Obispo and Pomona as the state's third public polytechnic university.
In 1963, the CSU's Academic Senate was established to act as the official voice of CSU faculty in university-wide matters. Also, the California State College Student Presidents Association — which was later renamed the California State Student Association (CSSA), was founded to represent each university student association on issues affecting students.
Through its many decades of service, the CSU has continued to adapt to address societal changes, student needs and workforce trends. While the CSU's core mission has always focused on providing high-quality, affordable bachelor's and master's degree programs, over time the university has added a wide range of services and programs to support student success — from adding health centers and special programs for veterans to building student residential facilities to provide a comprehensive educational experience.
In 2010, in an effort to accommodate community college transfer students, the CSU, in concert with the California Community Colleges (CCC), launched the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), which guarantees CCC transfer students with an ADT admission to the CSU with junior status. The ADT has since proven to be one of the most effective paths to a CSU for community college transfer students. In 2023, the CSU launched the Transfer Success Pathway program to guarantee future CSU admission to high school graduates who are entering a California community college and who commit to transferring within three years.
Always adapting to changes in technology to support student learning and degree completion, the CSU launched CSU Fully Online, which enables CSU students to complete online courses at other CSUs, expanding enrollment opportunities and providing more educational opportunities for students who may prefer an online format to a traditional classroom setting.
The CSU marked a significant educational milestone when it broadened its degree offerings to include professional doctoral degrees. The CSU independently offers Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Audiology (AuD), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree programs. A limited number of other doctoral degrees are offered jointly with the University of California and private institutions in California.
The CSU strives to continually develop innovative programs, services and opportunities that will give students the tools they need to meet their full potential. In 2025, the CSU shared a new systemwide strategic plan, CSU Forward: Thriving Students, Thriving University, Thriving California, the system’s most comprehensive and ambitious strategic plan to transform how the CSU defines student success and fulfills its role as California’s most powerful engine of opportunity, economic mobility and inclusive excellence. The strategic plan centers on four performance objectives: economic mobility engine, sustainable affordability, employer of choice and statewide impact.
With the conclusion of the 10-year Graduation Initiative 2025 and the Year of Engagement project, the CSU unveiled a new Student Success Framework to meet the needs of today's students and achieve new heights of student success. As a companion to CSU Forward, the framework aims to improve opportunity outcome gaps, strengthen career readiness and advance social mobility for all CSU students. By providing an accessible, hands-on education that prepares graduates for career success, the CSU has created a network of alumni so extensive and renowned that it spans across the globe. More than 4 million CSU alumni are making a difference in the lives of the people of California and the world.
Office of the Chancellor
- The California State University 401 Golden Shore Long Beach, California 90802-4210 (562) 951-4000
- Dr. Mildred García-Chancellor
- Ms. Dawn S. Theodora–Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and General Counsel
- Mr. Patrick J. Lenz–Interim Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer
- Mr. Dave Grant--Interim Vice Chancellor Human Resources and Chief HR Officer
- Mr. Vlad Marinescu–Vice Chancellor and Chief Audit Officer
- Mr. Greg Saks–Vice Chancellor, External Relations and Communications
- Dr. Junius J. Gonzales--Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer
- Dr. Dilcie D. Perez–Vice Chancellor, Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success
- Ms. Danielle Garcia–Deputy Vice Chancellor for System Strategy & Operations
The California State University System
| California State University, Bakersfield | California State University, Channel Islands |
| California State University, Chico | California State University, Dominguez Hills |
| California State University, East Bay | California State University, Fresno |
| California State University, Fullerton | California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt |
| California State University, Long Beach | California State University, Los Angeles |
| California State University, Monterey Bay | California State University, Northridge |
| California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | California State University, Sacramento |
| California State University, San Bernardino | San Diego State University |
| San Francisco State University | San José State University |
| California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | California State University, San Marcos |
| Sonoma State University | California State University, Stanislaus |
International Programs
CSUSB Center for International Studies and Programs website
Developing intercultural communication skills and international understanding among its students is a vital mission of the California State University (CSU). Since its inception in 1963, the CSU International Programs, a systemwide department operating from within the CSU Chancellor's Office in Long Beach, California, has contributed to this effort by providing qualified students an affordable opportunity to continue their studies abroad. More than 24,000 CSU students have taken advantage of this unique study option. In addition, CSU International Programs has student exchange agreements with institutions worldwide. California welcomes our international exchange students and values our reciprocal partnerships with top universities around the world.
International Programs participants earn resident academic credit at their CSU campuses while they pursue full-time, yearlong, semester or short term summer program of study at a host university or special study center abroad. The International Programs serves the needs of students in over 100 designated academic majors. Affiliated with more than 70 recognized universities and institutions of higher education in 16 countries, the International Programs also offers a wide selection of study locales and learning environments.
Students pay the same tuition to study abroad as they would at their home campus. CSU IP participants are responsible for all personal costs, such as transportation, room and board, living expenses, and home campus fees. Financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, is available to qualified students.
California Community Colleges transfer students are eligible to apply directly from their community colleges. Students must also possess a current cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the program for which they apply. Some programs also have language study and/or other coursework prerequisites.
Students can begin to explore study abroad programs, requirements and eligibility on the study abroad brochure pages of this site. Incoming exchange students can begin by reviewing the list of CSU IPexchange partners to ensure their home university is on the list. If it is, students should contact the exchange coordinator at their home institution to understand the selection and admissions processes; if it is not, students are welcome to apply to the California State University as an international student.
- Australia - Griffith University, Macquarie University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, Western Sydney University
- Chile - Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- China - Peking University (Beijing)
- France -
- Aix-Marseille Université CY Cergy Paris Université
- École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay (ENS)
- ESSCA, Aix-en-Provence Campus (effective Spring 2024) Institut Catholique de Paris
- Institut Polytechniques des Sciences Avancées (IPSA) Institut Supérieur d'Electronique de Paris (ISEP) Science Politiques Saint-Germain-En-Laye
- Sorbonne Université
- Université d'Evry Val-d'Essonne (UEVE)
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ) Université Paris Cité
- Université Gustave Eiffel Université Panthéon-Assas
- Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne Université Paris 8 - Vincennes-Saint-Denis Université Paris Nanterre
- Université Paris-Est Créteil Val-de-Marne (UPEC) Université Paris-Saclay
- Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (formerly Paris 3)
- Université Sorbonne Paris Nord
- Germany -
- Hochschule Biberach
- Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart
- Hochschule für Forstwirtschaft Rottenburg
- Hochschule Furtwangen
- Hochschule Konstanz Hochschule Mannheim
- Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt Nürtingen-Geislingen
- Hochschule Reutlingen
- Hochschule Ravensburg-Weingarten
- Hochschule Ulm
- Karlsruher Institut für Technologie
- Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg
- Pädagogische Hochschule Ludwigsburg
- Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen
- Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart
- Universität Freiburg
- Universität Heidelberg
- Universität Hohenheim
- Universität Konstanz
- Universität Mannheim
- Universität Stuttgart
- Universität Tübingen
- Universität Ulm
- Ghana - University of Ghana
- Italy - Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, CSU Florence center
- Japan - Waseda University
- Mexico - Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Querétaro
- South Africa - Nelson Mandela University
- South Korea Yonsei University, Korea University
- Spain
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- Universidad de Granada
- Sweden - Uppsala University
- Taiwan - National Taiwan University
- United Kingdom - University of Bradford, University of Bristol, University of Hull, Kingston University, Swansea University, University of Birmingham
Students participating in CSU IP pay CSU tuition and program fees, and are responsible for airfare, accommodations, meals, and other personal expenses. Financial aid, with the exception of Federal Work-Study, is available to qualified students and limited scholarship opportunities are also available. All programs require students to maintain good academic and disciplinary standing, many programs are open to sophomores or graduate students. California Community College transfer students are eligible to apply (to select programs) directly from their community colleges. Students must possess a current cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the program, and must fulfill all coursework prerequisites. Additional program information and application instructions can be found on the International Programs website.
Trustees of the CSU
Ex Officio Trustees
- The Honorable Gavin Newsom,-Governor of California
- The Honorable Eleni Kounalakis,-Lieutenant Governor of California
- The Honorable Robert Rivas,-Speaker of the Assembly
- The Honorable Tony K. Thurmond,-State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Dr. Mildred García Chancellor,-California State University
Officers of the Trustees
- The Honorable Gavin Newsom–President
- Jack B. Clarke Jr.–Chair
- Diego Arambula–Vice Chair
- Dawn S. Theodora–Interim Secretary
- Patrick J. Lenz–Interim Treasurer
Appointed Trustees
Appointments are for a term of eight years, except student, alumni, and faculty trustees whose terms are for two years. Terms expire in the year in parentheses. Names are listed alphabetically.
| Larry L. Adamson (2028) | Diego Arambula (2028) |
| Raji Kaur Brar (2029) | Jack B. Clarke Jr. (2027) |
| Kelly M. Dermody (2033) | Andrea C. Evans (2030) |
| Carson Fajardo (2027) (S) | Jean P. Firstenberg (2026) |
| Wenda Fong (2032) | Mark Ghilarducci (2031) |
| Leslie Gilbert-Lurie (2030) | Jazmin Guarjardo (2026) (S) |
| Julia I. Lopez (2028) | Jack McGroy (2031) |
| Sam Nejabat (2027) | Yammilette Rodriguez (2029) |
| Christopher J. Steinhauser (2026) | Darlene Yee-Melichar (2025) (F) |
Correspondence with trustees should be sent to: c/o Office of the Board of Trustees, The California State University, 401 Golden Shore, Long Beach, California 90802-4210 or trusteesoffice@calstate.edu.
Programs Leading to Licensure and Credentialing
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from Credential Processing, CE-221, (909) 537-5600.
The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states' educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state's requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(c).
Career Placement
The Career Development Center may furnish, upon request, information about the employment of students who graduate from programs or courses of study preparing students for a particular career field. Data provided must be in a form that does not allow for the identification of any individual student. This information includes data concerning the average starting salary and the percentage of previously enrolled students who obtained employment.
The information may include data collected from graduates of the university or graduates of all universities in the California State University system.
Campus Safety Report
California State University, San Bernardino publishes a "Campus Safety Report" each September 1st in compliance with federal law. The report contains information on campus safety services, policies, procedures and recent crime statistics. This report is available through the university main web page index listing "Campus Safety Report" and copies may be obtained from the Department of Public Safety.
Average Support Cost Per Full-Time Equivalent Student and Sources of Funds
The total support cost per full-time equivalent student (FTES) includes the expenditures for current operations, including payments made to students in the form of financial aid, and all fully reimbursed programs contained in state appropriations. The average support cost is determined by dividing the total cost by the number of FTES. The total CSU 2025-26 budget amounts were $4,957,363,000 from state General Fund (GF) appropriations, $2,778,751,000, from gross tuition revenue, and $752,697,000 from other fee revenues for a total of $8,488,811,000. The 2025-26 resident FTES target is 90,598 and the nonresident FTES based on past-year actual is 21,242 for a total of 411,840 FTES. The GF appropriation is applicable to resident students only whereas fee revenues are collected from resident and nonresident students. FTES is derived by dividing the total student credit units attempted by a fixed amount depending on academic level (e.g., 30 for a semester university and 45 for a quarter university, the figures that define a full-time undergraduate or postbaccalaureate student's academic load).
| Amount | Average Cost per FTES | Percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Appropriation (GF)1 | $4,957,363,000 | $12,692 | 58.4% |
| Gross Tuition Revenue 2 | $2,778,751,000 | $6,747 | 32.7% |
| Other Fee Revenue 2 | $752,697,000 | $1,828 | 8.9% |
| Total Support Cost | *$8,488,811,000* | *$21,267* | 100% |
- 1
Represents state GF appropriation in the Budget Act of 2025-26; GF is divisible by resident students only (390,598 FTES).
- 2
Represents CSU Operating Fund, gross tuition and other fees revenue amounts from the 2025-26 Final Budget Allocations memo . Revenues are divisible by resident and nonresident students (411,840 FTES).
The 2025-26 average support cost per FTES based on GF appropriation and tuition fee revenue only is $19,439 and is $21,267, with all fee revenue (e.g., tuition fees, application fees, and campus mandatory fees) in the CSU Operating Fund. Of this amount, the average tuition and other fee revenue per FTES is $8,575.
The average CSU 2025-26 academic year, resident, undergraduate student basic tuition and other mandatory fees required to apply to, enroll in, or attend the university is $8,644 ($6,450 tuition fee plus $2,194 average campus-based fees). However, the costs paid by individual students will vary depending on the university, program, and whether a student is part-time, full-time, resident, or nonresident.
Procedure for the Establishment or Abolishment of Campus-Based Mandatory Fees
The law governing the California State University provides that specific campus fees defined as mandatory, such as a student body association fee and a student body center fee, may be established. A student body association fee must be established upon a favorable vote of two-thirds of the students voting in an election held for this purpose (Education Code, Section 89300). The university president may adjust the student body association fee only after the fee adjustment has been approved by a majority of students voting in a referendum established for that purpose. The required fee shall be subject to referendum at any time upon the presentation of a petition to the university president containing the signatures of 10 percent of the regularly enrolled students at the university. Student body association fees support a variety of cultural and recreational programs, childcare centers, and special student support programs. A student body center fee must be established upon a favorable vote of two-thirds of the students voting in an election held for this purpose (Education Code, Section 89304). Once bonds are issued, authority to set and adjust student body center fees is governed by provisions of the State University Revenue Bond Act of 1947, including, but not limited to, Education Code sections 90012, 90027, and 90068. A student success fee may be established or adjusted only after the university undertakes a rigorous consultation process and a fee referendum is held with a simple majority favorable vote (Education Code, Section 89712). The student success fee may be rescinded by a majority vote of the students only after six years have elapsed following the vote to implement the fee.
The process to establish and adjust other campus-based mandatory fees requires consideration by the campus fee advisory committee and a consultation or student referendum process as established by California State University Student Tuition and Fee Policy , Sections III & IV (or any successor policy). The university president may use consultation mechanisms if they determine that a referendum is not the best mechanism to achieve appropriate and meaningful consultation, and referendum is not required by the Education Code or Student Success Fee policy. Results of the referendum and the fee committee review are advisory to the university president. The president may adjust campus-based mandatory fees but must request the chancellor to establish a new mandatory fee. The president shall provide to the campus fee advisory committee a report of all campus-based mandatory fees. The university shall report annually to the chancellor a complete inventory of all campus-based mandatory fees.
For more information or questions, please contact the System Budget Office in the CSU Chancellor's Office at csubudgetoffice@calstate.edu or (562) 951-4560.
Student Complaint Procedure (Complaints Regarding the CSU)
The California State University (CSU) takes very seriously complaints and concerns regarding the institution. If you have a complaint regarding the CSU, you may present your complaint as follows:
- If your complaint concerns CSU's compliance with academic program quality and accrediting standards, you may present your complaint on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) website. WASC is the agency that accredits the CSU's academic program.
- If your complaint concerns an alleged violation by CSU of any law that prohibits discrimination, harassment or retaliation based on a protected status, including age, disability (physical and mental, gender, gender identity (including non-binary or trans-gender), gender expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, nationality, pregnancy or related conditions, race or ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry, religion or religious creed, sex (including sex stereotyping or sex characteristics), sexual orientation, and veteran or military status, you may present your complaint as described in Section XVI (Interim Nondiscrimination Policy).
- If your complaint concerns an alleged violation by the CSU of other state law, including laws prohibiting fraud and false advertising, you may present your claim complaint to the university president or designee: Tómas Morales, President, president@csusb.edu. See the Student/Applicant Complaint Procedure for Alleged Violations of State Law Not Covered by Another CSU Complaint Procedure for details regarding the complaint requirements and complaint process.
- Other complaints regarding the CSU may be presented to the university dean of students [or other appropriate administrator], who will provide guidance on the appropriate university process for addressing your particular issue.
If you believe that your complaint warrants further attention after you have exhausted all the steps outlined by the university, or by WASC, you may file an appeal with the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs (or designee) at the CSU Chancellor's Office.
This procedure should not be construed to limit any right that you may have to take legal action to resolve your complaint.