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CAL STATE UNIVERSITY CRUSHES THE COMPETITION!
15 OUT OF 23 CAMPUSES IN THE TOP 10%? YOU BET!
In a jaw-dropping revelation, California State University has stormed to the top of Moneyโs 2025 Best Colleges list! That’s rightโ15 of their 23 campuses are dominating with ratings that put them in the elite top 10%. And get this: NINE of these academic powerhouses have snagged a perfect 5-star rating! Talk about educational supremacy!
THE SOCIAL MOBILITY POWERHOUSE
What’s fueling this success story? Cal State isn’t just making headlines for their stellar ratings. They’re also recognized as social mobility engines, making college accessible for low-income and minority students. With ridiculously affordable tuition rates (less than $7,000 a year for in-state students), this system is breaking down barriers and rewriting the narrative on higher education. Most campuses accept over 90% of applicants. Thatโs rightโgetting in is practically a guarantee!
WHERE A DEGREE MEANS MORE!
With almost 460,000 undergraduates enrolled, CSU graduates account for a staggering 1 in every 20 college degree holders in America! Chancellor Mildred Garcรญa proudly declares, โThe scale at which we are graduating and serving students is truly impactful.โ And you better believe it!
THE SECRET SAUCE: AFFORDABILITY AND OUTCOMES
Letโs break it down: While the average net price for a college education across the board is around $24,000 a year, CSUโs average is below $15,000! For those earning under $48,000, many students are paying a mere $3,000 to $7,000 a year! How’s that for a bargain?
Not just access, but success! Every rated Cal State campus is outperforming expectations. Graduation rates? Through the roof! Dominguez Hills, for instance, boasts a six-year graduation rate thatโs 20% higher than predicted. Itโs never been clearerโCSU is setting new heights!
THE SPARK THAT IGNITED THIS SURGE
Whatโs the magic ingredient fueling their rise? Introducing the Economic Mobility Index in 2022! This measure identifies colleges actively lifting lower-income students out of financial hardship. California State University, Los Angeles now holds the highest score in the nation, with 16 campuses landing in the top 50!
CHALLENGES AHEAD: CAN CSUS KEEP THE MOMENTUM?
But hold your horses! This success story isn’t without its hurdles. Funding remains a vicious beast, and while theyโve avoided major cuts, the specter of federal budget slashes looms large. And letโs not forget that many CSU students struggle to make ends meet, often juggling multiple jobs to afford living expenses.
Despite improvements, gaps remain among student populations, especially for Black students and Pell Grant recipients. The Graduation Initiative 2025 has shown promise by nearly doubling on-time completion rates, but there’s still a long road ahead.
A BRIGHT FUTURE?
The next phase? Cal State is on a mission to evolveโ focusing not only on graduation rates but also helping students land meaningful jobs! Chancellor Garcรญa emphasizes that the lack of social networks for many students makes job hunting a daunting task. Expect exciting career initiatives and paid internships in the coming fall.
CAL STATE UNIVERSITY: A MODEL FOR ALL?
As they march into the future, CSU aims to become the national model for delivering quality and accessible education. The sky’s the limit for these academic championsโstay tuned, because this epic saga is just getting started!
Buckle up, folks! Cal State is here to stay, and it’s only getting better from here!
photo credit: money.com
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