[CSU Chancellor’s Office] – For the third year in a row, the California State University received a record number of undergraduate applications. This year’s record confirms the continued high demand for a CSU education.

Through CSU Mentor, potential first-time freshmen and transfer students submitted 665,860 applications – easily eclipsing last year’s total. The submissions came from 258,834 distinct applicants versus 241,166 last year. Potential students typically apply to multiple CSU campuses.

The CSU has also continued a trend of attracting a group of students that reflects the diversity of California. Based on self-reported statistical data, no ethnic or racial group forms a majority among CSU undergraduate applicants. This year also saw a first with Latino applicants outnumbering White applicants by 33.3 percent to 31.2 percent.

“The CSU has gone into communities throughout California with the message that a university education is achievable,” said Nathan Evans, director of CSU Enrollment Management Services. “California’s high school and community college students identify the CSU as the university that offers them a clear path to a successful and prosperous future.”

The application totals are for Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, the priority period for all 23 CSU campuses. As of today, seven campuses continue to accept new undergraduate applications: Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Stanislaus, Humboldt and the California Maritime Academy. Applications may close at any time and be limited to specific programs.

Due to severe cuts in state funding, the CSU has been unable to keep up with record demand – denying as many as 20,000 qualified potential students. In November, trustees urged the state to restore $333 million to the CSU in order to increase student access and better serve those already attending.

Campuses still accepting applications for graduate programs

All CSU campuses continue to take graduate applications, however individual campus deadlines differ and it is best to review campus postings.

Prospective CSU graduate students are also applying to Doctor of Nursing Practice programs for the first time in the system’s history. The three CSU DNP programs continue to welcome applications. Two of the programs are offered jointly by multiple CSU campuses, including Fresno and San José in the north and Fullerton, Long Beach and Los Angeles in the south. San Diego offers a stand-alone program.

“Nurse practitioners have an incredible amount of knowledge to contribute to the care of the ‘whole patient,’ in addition to treating diseases,” said Terea Giannetta, a Fresno State and Sacramento State alumna, Fresno State faculty member and nurse practitioner on CSU Voices and Views. “Nursing and medicine need to be partners in helping change healthcare to make it more accessible to everyone.”

About California State University

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, approximately 412,000 students and 43,000 faculty and staff.  The CSU awards about 90,000 degrees annually and since its creation in 1961 has conferred nearly 2.6 million.  Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the CSU is renowned for the quality of its teaching and for the job-ready graduates it produces.  The mission of the CSU is to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever changing needs of the people of California.  With its commitment to excellence, diversity and innovation, the CSU is the university system that is working for California.