How is the Cal State system looked at in the State, nationwide and around the world? (San Diego: 2014, top school)

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Within the state of CA, the state systems are considered not as prestigious as the universities, but they still get decent respect.

As far as outside CA, nobody knows about any of the colleges in CA, in my experience, except UC Berkeley and Stanford.

I grew up in CA, went to other states, lived in Mexico and Canada.

[freepelican]

Outside the state, a UC degree from any campus seems to carry more "weight" than a Cal State degree, not to say it is actually better for any particular major.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by freepelican

Outside the state, a UC degree from any campus seems to carry more "weight" than a Cal State degree.

That's true of inside the state as well.

[radiolibre99]

Schedule of Tuition Fees, 2012-2013 | CSUN University Catalog

Wow am I reading this right? CSUN is cheap.

[Sandbow]

Is Chico State still seen first and foremost as a party school?

[04kL4nD]

I have two degrees from a CSU and I currently work at one. I certainly think a UC degree is more prestigious, but it's only going to serve you extra well if you're going to do graduate work or if you graduate near the top of your class. Honestly, it's who you know and how you stand out that matters most.

[radiolibre99]

Of course it's all who you know but I'm trying to get the best education for the cheapest price from a school with some academic cache.

I've chosen Cal State Northridge. Its in a very practical field so as long as I do well and network I should be fine but it would be nice to know if the school I attended has some academic recognition.

I just keep thinking if the school has California in its considered nice since California schools are known as creative innovative hubs.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

History isn't a useful degree at all, and that's an understatement.. I'm afraid to say I speak from experience, from a higher ranked school. Took a lot of work and starting over to find another career that makes a living.

In the end I don't think the school you go to matters so much as your major and your personal accomplishments/networking/activities. You can go to Harvard and major in history or english and be worse off than a CSUN engineering grad.

Your perception of the usefulness of a history degree likely comes from someone who either didn't understand the value of the skills that they were learning or didn't have a plan to utilize those skills upon graduation.

Of course, being a historian in training, Harrier knows what constitutes evidence, and cannot say with certainty that his analysis is correct, but it seems quite plausible.

He is sorry that you are disgruntled.

[Galaxie Girl]

I, my husband, and my brother all graduated from CPP with engineering degrees. If you plan to major in engineering, do NOT go to any other CSU than Pomona or SLO. The two Polys are waaay better than the other CSUs, it is not even comparable. I do not know much about other majors at other CSUs, except lots of people have said that Fullerton has a great business program. Of course, we engineering majors liked to joke: What is the limit as an engineering major's GPA approaches zero? Answer: a business major.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

As far as outside CA, nobody knows about any of the colleges in CA, in my experience, except UC Berkeley and Stanford.

UC Berkeley and UCLA rank in the top 12 of this recent list of university rankings in North America.
World rankings - North America - Times Higher Education