The CSU confers 65 percent of California's business B.A.s, 52 percent of its agricultural business and agricultural engineering B.A.s. It provides bachelors' degrees to teachers and education staff (87 percent), criminal justice workers (89 percent), social workers (87 percent), and public administrators (82 percent). Altogether, about half of the bachelor's degrees and a third of the master's degrees awarded annually in California are from the CSU.

The CSU is one of the nation's most diverse higher educational institutions.

The CSU, the University of California, and the California Community College systems comprise the state-supported systems of higher education in California. In addition, there are more than 75 independent non-profit universities. For more information about the CSU, see www.calstate.edu or www.californiacolleges.edu.

Freshman Admission Requirements

It is easy to understand the California State University admission requirements for California residents. Admission offices at the 23 campuses use three factors to determine eligibility.

Most applicants who are admitted meet the standards in each of the following areas:

• Specific high school courses (referred to as the "a-g" courses)
• Grades in "a-g" courses and test scores
• Graduation from high school

Many CSU campuses have higher standards for particular majors or for students who live outside the local admission area. Because of the number of students who apply, several campuses have higher standards (supplementary admission criteria) for all applicants. Many CSU campuses utilize local admission guarantee policies for students who graduate or transfer from high schools and community colleges that are historically served by a CSU campus in that region. You may review the CSU Local Admission Areas for each campus here.

The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman. Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area. A grade of C or better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement.

The grades you earn in high school are the most important factor in CSU admission decisions. Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep "a-g" classes completed after the 9th grade.

Test scores are required unless you have a grade point average above 3.0 and are a resident of California. The CSU uses a calculation called an eligibility index that combines your high school grade point average with the score you earn on either the SAT or ACT tests. Even if you have a GPA above 3.0, it is useful to take either an SAT or ACT as the score may indicate if you do not need to take English and math placement tests after you are admitted and before you enroll at the CSU. The eligibility index for out-of-state students is higher and admission requirements for international students are somewhat different.

While SAT/ACT test scores are not required to establish the admission eligibility of California residents with high school grade point averages of 3.00 or above (nonresidents 3.61 or above), impacted campuses and impacted first-time freshmen enrollment categories often include test scores among the supplemental criteria required of all applicants to those campuses and enrollment categories.

If you have your high school GPA and the results of your SAT or ACT test, then you can calculate your eligibility index. From there you can quickly see whether you meet the minimum admission standards. Remember, some campuses have higher standards for particular majors or those students who live outside the local campus area.

ACT

 The CSU does not require the score from the Writing Test for admission purposes.

SAT

Scores from the Writing section will not be used for admission purposes to the CSU.


3. Graduation from High School

• Completion and transfer to CSU of the credits for a college course that satisfies the CSU General Education requirement in English Composition, provided such a course was completed with a grad of C or better
• A score of "Exempt" or "Ready for college-level English courses" on the CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP) taken along with the English Language Arts California Standard Test in grade 11

To support you in preparing to meet the EPT Requirement, the California State University has developed the English Success Website.

Entry Level Math (ELM) Exam

The CSU requires new students to be tested in mathematics as soon as possible after they are admitted and before enrolling at CSU. The test is used to determine whether students are prepared for college work; and if they are not, to place the students in appropriate remediation courses or activities. Students may be exempt from this test if they have scored well on other specified tests or have completed appropriate courses. (This test is not part of CSU admission requirements, but is a condition of enrollment if the student is not exempt.) There is an $18 charge to take the test.

The Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Examination is designed to assess and measure the level of mathematics skills acquired through three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics coursework (Algebra I and II, and Geometry) of students entering the California State University (CSU). The CSU ELM must be completed by all non-exempt entering undergraduates prior to enrollment in any course, including remedial courses. Students who score 50 or above on the ELM will be placed in college-level mathematics classes.

Exemptions from the ELM are granted only to those who present proof of one of the following:

• You do not have to take the ELM if you present proof of one of the following:

  • A score of 550 or above on the mathematics section of the College Board^® SAT^® Reasoning Test
  • A score of 550 or above on a College Board SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2)
  • A score of 23 or above on the American College Testing (ACT^®) Mathematics Test
  • A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement^® (AP^®) Calculus AB or Calculus BC
  • A score of 3 or above on the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics examination
  • Completion and transfer to CSU of a college course that satisfies the requirement in Quantitative Reasoning, provided such a course was completed with a grade of C or better
  • A result of "Standard Exceeded: Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics" on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam
  • The following Conditionally Exempt statuses require students to continue their preparation in the 12th grade by taking an approved math course and earn a grade of "C" or better. Students that do not meet the conditional requirement will need to participate in the CSU’s Early Start Program, unless they meet other Early Start Program exemptions.
    • Early Start Program exemptions include the following test scores/results:
      • 490–540 on the mathematics portion of the SAT Reasoning Test
      • 20–22 on the mathematics portion of the ACT exam
      • A result of "Standard Met: Conditionally Ready for CSU or participating CCC college-level coursework in mathematics" on the CAASPP Early Assessment Program (EAP) exam

To support you in preparing to meet the ELM Requirement, the California State University has developed the Math Success Website.