Cal State Locations (Sacramento: unemployment rate, schools, university)

[R-Tistic]

What?? The areas around CSUDH are bad??? Nope..maybe a mile away in Compton, but all of those areas right there in Carson are very nice. Mainly houses, and very middle class. It's not many apartments near, though, really just houses.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by CartersMommy

I would like to keep the tuition down so I am considering state schools. I currently live in Las Vegas.

I would apply to a university in Nevada. The next round of state budget cuts will cut even more jobs in social work from all over CA.

[Charles]

What about other Cal States? Sacramento? Chico? Other lower cost places?

Channel Islands?

Do other lower cost CS have the major you want? Do you have to live in an expensive city?

[GreenBeetle]

While CSULA's exact location may seem questionable, Alhambra, which is immediately off campus, is a nice, affordable city that has many very attractive neighborhoods that are family friendly. Alhambra is quite safe, also. You can certainly find a two bedroom apartment, possibly even a rental house, within your price range. And, your commute to campus would be literally minutes on the surface streets, depending on which part of the city you are in and the time of day. If you are seriously considering CSULA, don't let the location scare you away. The fact is that there are so many great options in the surrounding areas, such as Alhambra, South Pasadena, Pasadena, etc. And, from personal experience, I will tell you that CSULA is a great school! Good luck to you!

[CartersMommy]

I am applying to UNLV and to a few other states in the Western part of the US, but I do not want to live in Las Vegas anymore. I hate it here. My husband is in finance so we need to live in a larger city and I am not very fond of small places.

I was also considering Sacramento but I have never been there I would need to visit there before I applied.

CA4NOW- If they are cutting so many social work jobs in CA, why are they offering stipends to pay for school if you work for a state agency? Doesn't that imply that they need more workers? Honest question.

[CartersMommy]

Thanks GreenBeetle- I was curious about that because I have heard that CSULA has a great MSW program. I wouldn't mind living in Pasadena or Alhambra at all.

[pistola916]

San Francisco State ? Urban environment, great city. But I guess living there would be too expensive.

Sacramento State is a good choice. Urban amenities in a relatively small town feel. Not as expensive as the Bay Area. The campus is nice too, located in East Sacramento.

[autumnsmommy]

I live in a 2BR for 1490, close to CSUN, less than 2 miles from campus. Nice gated apt with pool, spa, clubhouse and fitness area. PM me and ill send you pics of the area/complex.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by CartersMommy

If they are cutting so many social work jobs in CA, why are they offering stipends to pay for school if you work for a state agency? Doesn't that imply that they need more workers? Honest question.

San Jose State has arguably the most renowned MSW program in the CSU system (first public institution of higher learning on the West Coast as well). They have always offered stipends in exchange for working for state agencies, and demand is always high for social workers throughout he Bay Area. How much that demand is met has to do with the budget handed down by Sacramento.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by CartersMommy

CA4NOW- If they are cutting so many social work jobs in CA, why are they offering stipends to pay for school if you work for a state agency? Doesn't that imply that they need more workers? Honest question.

Our company let 20% of its social workers go two years ago. Another round of budget cuts is currently in the process. My brother's non profit had to let 28% of their staff go last year, although they're in Orange County. The field of social services in general has been badly hurt by California's recession. Be careful what these schools tell you; they're as badly hurt by the recession as everyone else and they need students. In addition, all the Cal States have taken huge cuts in administrative staff.