Five-Year Enrollment Totals at CSU Campuses

Total number of your students who applied, were admitted, and enrolled as freshmen at each CSU campus during the fall in academic years from 2018 - 2022.

Descriptive Characteristics of Students Applying, Admitting, and Enrolling at CSU Campuses

Demographic and academic data for your students who applied, were admitted, and enrolled as freshmen at each CSU campus during the fall in academic years from 2018 - 2022.

ACTION ITEMS

As you explore the CSU enrollment trends of your students, we recommend that you take the following actions:

1. Take several steps to increase the number of your students who attend a CSU campus.
• Encourage your students to successfully complete the A-G courses.
• Encourage your students to maintain a B or better GPA in the A-G courses in order to meet the CSU Eligibility Index requirements.
• Encourage your students to take the ACT or SAT by the spring of the 11th grade.
• Help your students understand that the CSU is the nation’s largest and most ​​affordable public four-year university system.
• Help students understand the financial aid process and the availability of scholarships.
2. Reflect on the number of students from your high school who attend the CSU, and analyze the year-by-year trends.
3. Explore data from other high schools to see comparisons with other schools in your community.

ACTION ITEMS

As you explore the CSU major selection trends of your students, we recommend that you take the following actions:

1. Look at the data and reflect on the following questions:
• Are the majors that your students select what you expected given the types of programs that you have?
• Do the choices reflect the needs of the community?
• Is there a healthy balance of students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)?
2. Play an active role in helping your students with their major selection.
• Encourage your students to think about college majors and preparation as early as possible and ensure that they are clear on differences between STEM/pre-med/nursing majors that require heavy science and math prerequisites, and those that are more exploratory, like liberal studies.
• Help your students to see the realities of their major choices early. If they are interested in a STEM or pre-med track, encourage them to take prerequisites early to find out ASAP whether this is the path they want to follow.
• Help support students to better prepare for popular majors by:
  • Exposing them to career options through local employers.
  • Creating opportunities for students to meet professionals in those fields.

ACTION ITEMS

As you explore the course-taking patterns of your students once they arrive at the CSU, we recommend that you take the following actions:

1. Inform your students about the importance of getting off to a fast start.
• Students who complete 30+ units in their first year of college are much more likely to graduate than those who do not.
• When students do not take full unit loads, it will take them longer to earn a degree and cost them more.
• Help students understand that the goal is to graduate in four years whenever possible.
2. Help your students understand the opportunity costs associated with not taking at least 15 units each term.
• Loss in financial aid eligibility over time. Pell grants run out after 6 years.
• Loss in wages by delaying entry into the full-time workforce.
• Increased costs in tuition, books and fees over time.
• Real costs associated with balancing a part-time job not directly tied to career interests, and a full academic unit load.
• The risk of taking on heavy debt and predatory loans after 6 years.

ACTION ITEMS

As you explore the CSU graduation rates of your students, we recommend that you take the following actions:

1. Review the CSU’s Academic Preparation Policy, including Early Assessment Program (EAP) with 11th graders, and help them access the resources they need to maximize the 12th grade year, so that they become college ready.
2. Encourage students to visit their campus financial aid office to become familiar with their services. All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) between October 1st and March 2nd each year.
3. Encourage students to seek on-campus rather than off-campus employment to help finance their education.
4. Encourage students to pursue internships relevant to their major and career interests to help keep them engaged in their studies and progressing toward their degree.
5. Encourage proven success strategies that keep students connected in college, such as getting involved in campus activities and groups, getting to know professors, and staying focused on academics.