Colleges in California (San Diego, Sacramento, Riverside: transfer to, private schools, universities)

[justlivinglife]

We are thinking of moving to California. My daughter has a year until college. How expensive are the colleges? Are they good? Just curious

[bigdave01]

The UC system is probably the best in the world. Tuition is usually around 7-8k not including room and board. They are kind of in an unofficial tier system:
tier 1: UC Berkeley, UCLA
tier 2: UC San Diego
tier 3: UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine
tier 4: UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz

remember tier 1-4 are all excellent.

There is the CSU system which tends to be more commuter schools that are easier to get into, and cheaper they usually run around 3k. However, you can still get a great education.

[stellar9]

Also, many of the community colleges are top notch and offer matriculation to UC and/or CSU colleges. We live by Cal Poly and the cc, Cuesta is excellent and if you live locally, and go to Cuesta, Cal Poly will give you preference.

[Twinkle Toes]

I went to California colleges and I think I turned out pretty decent!

[RobE]

If you can't afford UC, the Cal State system is also very good. I went to Cal State Fullerton, as did my dad. Very good education there.

The private schools in California are vastly overrated. USC I consider an academic joke plus it is in the middle of Watts. Either one you choose, UC or Cal State, you can't go far wrong.

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by RobE

If you can't afford UC, the Cal State system is also very good. I went to Cal State Fullerton, as did my dad. Very good education there.

The private schools in California are vastly overrated. USC I consider an academic joke plus it is in the middle of Watts. Either one you choose, UC or Cal State, you can't go far wrong.

Although USC is in South L.A. it's not exactly in the community of Watts.

It's doubtful that Stanford, Caltech, the Claremont Colleges, and several other private colleges and universities are "vastly overrated" in comparison to others in the United States. For California residents, the UC and Cal State systems (along with community colleges) provide the most "bang for the buck" as far as higher education goes.

[CityGirl72]

I would also like to give a "shout out" to the Cal State Colleges

I went to Sac State - it was cheap when I went (graduated 2000), and they've gone up but not as expensive as the UC system.

The UC system is amazing but HIGHLY competitive. The classes are very hard because there are so many high acheiving students (Did anyone see that 20/20 show on Asian American population and the UC system?)

Everyone might laugh but I found out the UC Davis called Sac state - SLACKER State! We are a bit of rivals - but I thought it was funny

Anyway - my husband went to an EXPENSIVE college - University of Washington and guess what? I make more then double what he does..

It's not the University you go to - but what you DO with your education!

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

The UC system is amazing but HIGHLY competitive. The classes are very hard because there are so many high acheiving students (Did anyone see that 20/20 show on Asian American population and the UC system?)

The only thing that's "highly competitive" about the UC system is the admissions process for UC Berkeley and UCLA (and to a lesser extent UC San Diego and UC Irvine). The classes at the UCs range in difficulty -- some are relatively difficult and are extremely easy, depending on the subject and the instructor. Most likely, a "computer engineering" course at Sacramento State is more difficult than an "Asian American studies" course at UC Berkeley or UCLA.

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

It's not the University you go to - but what you DO with your education!

That's true; however, at some colleges and universities it's easier to make "connections" that will prove beneficial down the line. Unfortunately, it's not what you know that counts sometimes, but who you know.

[MontereyLocal]

If you are moving, I highly recommend doing it sooner rather than later. There is a rather drastic difference between Resident and Non-Resident tuition. At my local California State University (Monterey Bay, http://ar.csumb.edu/site/x17688.xml (broken link)) there is about a $10k difference between in-state and out-of-state costs. One way to skirt this is, as mentioned before, send your daughter to one of the many good quality Junior/Community Colleges for the first year or two and then transfer.

Helpful school links:

CSU Mentor (http://www.csumentor.edu/) - One stop shopping for the California State University school system

University of California (http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/) - Same as above, but for the UC system

Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (http://www.igetc.org/) - If your daughter goes to a Junior College first, these are the requirements to transfer to a UC/CSU

Residency Requirements (http://www.csuchico.edu/catalog/cat0...residence.html) - An example of what constitutes a resident versus non-resident

Disabled Veteran Tuition Fee Waiver (http://www.cdva.ca.gov/service/feewaiver.asp (broken link)) - In the event that you or your spouse are a disabled veteran, you can request a fee waiver at any public school in California.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by MontereyLocal

If you are moving, I highly recommend doing it sooner rather than later. There is a rather drastic difference between Resident and Non-Resident tuition. At my local California State University (Monterey Bay, http://ar.csumb.edu/site/x17688.xml (broken link)) there is about a $10k difference between in-state and out-of-state costs. One way to skirt this is, as mentioned before, send your daughter to one of the many good quality Junior/Community Colleges for the first year or two and then transfer.

Or just tell them you hopped the southern border and you'll get in-state tuition. Sorry, Americans from other states have to pay full rate.