The CSU System

The California State University (CSU) is the nation's largest and most diverse four-year public university. With 23 unique universities and seven off-campus centers, the CSU serves approximately 460,000 students and employs more than 56,000 faculty and staff.

Each year, the university awards nearly 130,000 degrees, changing the trajectory of students' lives by opening doors to opportunities for upward mobility. Nearly one-third 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 serving as 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 a high-quality, 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-third of California's undergraduate nursing degrees.
  • Between 2016 and 2021, the CSU prepared more of California's teachers than any other state institution.
  • About four percent of the nation's teachers graduate from the CSU.
  • In 2021-22, CSU students earned more than 20,000 business degrees and more than 7,500 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, 52,000 student volunteers participated in service-learning, contributing 2 million hours of service in 2021-22. 

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 23 member universities, including comprehensive and polytechnic universities and, since July 1995, the California State University Maritime Academy, a specialized university.

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 will launch 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 and societal trends 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) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree programs. Additionally, the CSU was recently authorized to offer the independent Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). 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 2016, the CSU system launched Graduation Initiative 2025, a bold plan to support students, increase the number of California's graduates earning high-quality degrees and eliminate achievement and equity gaps for all students. Through this initiative, the CSU is ensuring that all students have the opportunity to graduate according to their personal goals, positively impacting their lives, families and communities.

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.

Trustees of the California State University

Ex Officio Trustees

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor of California

The Honorable Eleni Kounalakis
Lieutenant Governor of California

The Honorable Anthony Rendon
Speaker of the Assembly

The Honorable Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Dr. Jolene Koester 
Interim Chancellor, California State University

Officers of the Trustees

The Honorable Gavin Newsom – President

Wenda Fong – Chair

Jack B. Clarke Jr. – Vice Chair

Andrew Jones – Secretary

Steve Relyea – 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 (2024)
Diana Aguilar-Cruz (2024)
Diego Arambula (2028)
Jack B. Clarke Jr. (2027)
Douglas Faigin (2025)
Jean P. Firstenberg (2026)
Wenda Fong (2024)
Leslie Gilbert-Lurie (2030)
Lillian Kimbell (2024)
Maria Linares (2023)
Julia I. Lopez (2028)
John "Jack" McGrory (2023)
Anna Ortiz-Morfit (2025)
Yammilette Rodriguez (2029)
Romey Sabalius (2023)
Lateefah Simon (2027)
Christopher J. Steinhauser (2026)
Jose Antonio Vargas (2030)

Correspondence with trustees should be sent to: c/o Trustees Secretariat, The California State University, 401 Golden Shore, Long Beach, California 90802-4210.

Office of the Chancellor

The California State University
401 Golden Shore
Long Beach, California 90802-4210
(562) 951-4000

Dr. Jolene Koester - Interim Chancellor
Mr. Steve Relyea - Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Andrew Jones - Executive Vice Chancellor, General Counsel
Ms. Leora D. Freeman - Vice Chancellor, Human Resources
Mr. Vlad Marinescu - Vice Chancellor and Chief Audit Officer
Dr. Nathan Evans – Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs
Dr. Dilcie Perez – Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs
Ms. Jessica Darin – Interim Chief of Staff
Ms. Michelle Kiss – Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff, Board of Trustees

CSU Campuses

California State University, Bakersfield
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022
Dr. Lynnette Zelezny, President
(661) 654-2782 CSU Bakersfield website

California State University, Channel Islands
One University Drive
Camarillo, CA 93012
Dr. Richard Yao, President
(805) 437-8400 CSU Channel Islands website

California State University, Chico
400 West First Street
Chico, CA 95929
Dr. Gayle E. Hutchinson, President
(310) 898-4636 Chico State website

California State University, Dominguez Hills
1000 East Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747
Dr. Thomas A. Parham, President
(530) 243-3696 CSU Dominguez Hills website

California State University, East Bay
25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard
Hayward, CA 94542
Dr. Cathy A. Sandeen, President
(510) 885-3000 Cal State East Bay website

California State University, Fresno
5241 North Maple Avenue
Fresno, CA 93740
Dr. Saúl Jimémez-Sandoval*, President
(559) 278-4240 CSU Fresno website

California State University, Fullerton
800 N. State College Boulevard
Fullerton, CA 92831-3599
Dr. Sylvia A. Alva, Interim President
(657) 278-2011 CSU Fullerton website

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
1 Harpst St.
Arcata, CA 95521-4957
Dr. Tom Jackson, Jr., President
(707) 826-3011 Humboldt State website

California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840-0115
Dr. Jane Close Conoley, President
(562) 985-4111 Cal State Long Beach website

California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
Dr. Leroy M. Morishita, Interim President
(323) 343-3000 Cal State LA website

California State University Maritime Academy
200 Maritime Academy Drive
Vallejo, CA 94590
Navy Reserve Vice Admiral Michael J. Dumont, Interim President
(707) 654-1000 Cal Maritime website

California State University, Monterey Bay
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA 93955-8001
Dr. Vanya Quiñones, President
(831) 582-3330 CSU Monterey Bay website

California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330
Dr. Ericka D. Beck, President
(818) 677-1200 CSUN website

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
3801 West Temple Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768
Dr. Soraya M. Coley, President
(909) 869-7659 Cal Poly Pomona website

California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819
Dr. Robert S. Nelson, President
(916) 278-6011 Sacramento State website

California State University, San Bernardino
5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407-2393
Dr. Tomás D. Morales, President
(909) 537-5000 Cal State San Bernardino website

San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182
Dr. Adela de la Torre, President
(619) 594-5200 San Diego State website

San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132
Dr. Lynn Mahoney, President
(415) 338-1111 San Francisco State website

San José State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0001
Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, President
(408) 924-1000 San José State website

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
One Grand Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Dr. Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President
(805) 756-1111 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo website

California State University, San Marcos
333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096-0001
Dr. Ellen J. Neufeldt, President
(760) 750-4000 CSU San Marcos website

Sonoma State University
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928-3609
Dr. Ming-Tung Lee, Interim President
(707) 664-2880 Sonoma State website

California State University, Stanislaus
One University Circle
Turlock, CA 95382
Dr. Susan E. Borrego, Interim President
(209) 667-3122 Stanislaus State website

map of the state of california with locations and addresses of all 23 campuses

International Programs

CSUSB Center for International Studies and Programs website

Developing inter-cultural 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 (CSU IP) has contributed to this effort by providing qualified students an affordable opportunity to continue their studies abroad for a full academic year in all programs and a semester option in some countries and programs.

More than 20,000 CSU students have taken advantage of this unique study option. Also, through the CSU IP exchange partnerships, more than 5,000 international students have come to study at the CSU.

International Programs participants earn resident academic credit at their home university while they pursue full-time study at a host university or study center abroad. CSU IP serves the needs of students in more than 100 designated academic majors. Affiliated with nearly 60 recognized universities and institutions of higher education in 18 countries, CSU IP also offers a wide selection of study abroad destinations and learning environments

  • Australia - Griffith University, Macquarie University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, Western Sydney University
  • Canada - Concordia University
  • Chile - Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
  • China - Peking University (Beijing)
  • Denmark - Danish Institute for Study Abroad
  • France - Institut Catholique de Paris, Institut Supérieur d'Electronique de Paris, Université d'Aix-Marseille (Aix-en-Provence), Université de Cergy- Pontoise, Universités de Paris I, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI, XII, XIII, Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée, Université d'Evry Val d'Essonne, and Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
  • Germany - University of Tübingen and a number of institutions of higher education in the Federal state of Baden-Württemberg
  • Ghana - University of Ghana
  • Israel - University of Haifa
  • Italy - CSU Florence Study Center, Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze
  • Japan - Waseda University, University of Tsukuba
  • Mexico - Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Querétaro
  • South Africa - Nelson Mandela University
  • South Korea Yonsei University
  • Spain - Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Granada, Universidad de Jaén
  • 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.

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 the International Student Services Office, UH-235, (909) 537-5193.

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. Any such 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 either graduates of the campus or graduates of all campuses in the California State University.

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 2022-23 budget amounts were $4,589,590,000 from state General Fund (GF) appropriations, before a $(68.5) million CalPERS retirement adjustment, $2,446,491,000 from gross tuition revenue, and $672,655,000 from other fee revenues for a total of $7,708,736,000. The 2022-23 resident FTES target is 383,680 and the nonresident FTES based on past-year actual is 19,953 for a total of 403,633 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 $4,589,590,000 $11,962 59.6%
Gross Tuition Revenue2 $2,446,491,000 $6,061 31.7%
Other Fee Revenue2 $672,655,000 $1,667 8.7%
Total Support Cost $7,708,736,000 $19,690 100%
1

Represents state GF appropriation in the Budget Act of 2022-23; GF is divisible by resident students only (383,680 FTES).

2

Represents CSU Operating Fund, gross tuition and other fees revenue amounts submitted in university September 2022-23 final budgets. Revenues are divisible by resident and nonresident students (403,633 FTES).

The 2022-23 average support cost per FTES based on GF appropriation and tuition fee revenue only is $18,023 and is $19,960, which includes 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 $7,728.

The average CSU 2022-23 academic year, resident, undergraduate student basic tuition and other mandatory fees required to apply to, enroll in, or attend the university is $7,520 ($5,742 tuition fee plus $1,778 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 Fee Policy, Section III (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 (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:

  1. 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.
  2. If your complaint concerns an alleged violation by CSU of any law that prohibits discrimination, harassment or retaliation based on a protected status (such as age, disability, gender (or sex), gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), religion or veteran or military status), you may present your complaint as described in Section XVI (Nondiscrimination Policy).
  3. 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. See Procedure for Student Complaints—Executive Order No. 1063 for details regarding the complaint requirements and complaint process.
  4. 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.