Despite early concerns about state trigger cuts and potential enrollment reductions, the fall 2013 application cycle set a CSU record for submissions through CSU Mentor.  This year’s record confirms the continued high demand for a CSU education.

Through Nov. 30, potential freshmen, transfer, credential and graduate students submitted 763,517 applications for fall 2013 – an increase of 12 percent from last year.  Potential students typically submit applications to multiple CSU campuses.  The total fall 2013 submissions came from 294,926 individual applicants – an increase of 10 percent from fall 2012.

Individual first-time freshmen applicants rose to 173,985 from 166,028.  Partially due to CSU’s closing of the spring 2013 application cycle to all but a very limited number of students, transfer applicants surged to 108,726 from 92,806.  Graduate and credential applicants also increased to 12,215 from 9,849, even though many campuses continue to accept these submissions past Nov. 30.

Every CSU campus received more applications from first time freshmen and transfer applicants than last year.  The increases across all 23 campuses combine for a fourth straight year of record high systemwide applications.  This demonstrates a continuing demographic and economic trend toward higher education.

The CSU also continues a trend of attracting a diverse group of students.  Based on self-reported statistical data, no ethnic or racial group forms a majority among CSU undergraduate applicants.  The share of Latino applicants continues to increase.  A snapshot as of Nov. 30 shows 99,558 undergraduate applicants who self-identify Hispanic or Latino – up from 86,147 at this point last year.  The number of applicants self-identifying as African American, American Indian, Asian or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander also increased from fall 2012 to fall 2013 ­– with a relatively constant share of the total.

“The CSU reflects the diversity of California because we have made it our mission to educate all communities in the state,” said Nathan Evans, director of CSU Enrollment Management Services.  “The public demand for higher education has never been greater, yet the university struggles to meet that demand in a climate of unreliable state funding.”

The system held applications from new students pending the outcome of Proposition 30, which threatened a direct impact on funded enrollment targets due to the potential for $250 million in trigger cuts.  Having avoided those cuts, campuses are currently processing applications.

However, Proposition 30 itself does not provide funds necessary to meet current and future enrollment demand.  This led the CSU Board of Trustees in November to approve a budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year that calls for state reinvestment in the CSU.

“The ability of the CSU to educate California’s workforce depends on a positive commitment from the state,” said Robert Turnage, assistant vice chancellor for budget.  “The CSU proposal balances continuing state fiscal challenges with the right of current and future students to receive a quality university education.”

Doctor of Nursing Practice, other programs, continue taking applications

Even though most campuses completed their fall 2013 application period for undergraduates, opportunities to apply to graduate programs are still available.  These include the Doctor of Education and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs.

The CSU Fullerton-Long Beach-Los Angeles and Fresno State-San José State joint Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs also remain open.  Learn more about the DNP programs.

Check out a complete list of open campuses and programs at the graduate and undergraduate level on [CSU Mentor].  Please review the linked notices related to your campus of choice.

About the California State University

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, approximately 427,000 students and 44,000 faculty and staff. The CSU awards over 95,000 degrees annually and since its creation in 1961 has conferred nearly 2.6 million.