What is the 'big' difference between CSU and UC?

UCBChemEGrad
Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:59:30 +0000

In a nutshell, UCs are research universities that grant PhDs. CSUs are primarily teaching universities…they do research but not as extensively and typically do not grant PhDs.



but its the same education right?

Sorta. I attended both a CSU and UC. It depends on the academic discipline, but to give you an example of the difference in my field, engineering, the CSU education was typically more practical while the UC education was more theoretical. I believe this is the case due to the different professors each school attracts. Here’s an example: At the CSU, I was taught the basic principle and then instructed how to find values/answers in compiled resources and tables…at the UC I was taught how to derive the mathematical equations…getting more into the nitty-gritty and deeper understanding.



a business degree is the same as a business degree regardless where u get it from right?

Business is probably the same. But, I think a lot also depends on the academic caliber of your classmates too.



And wouldn’t it be better to get like a 3.8 from a CSU compared to a 3.4 GPA from a UC when trying to apply to grad school?

Hard to say. If both were business major looking for an MBA program, a lot will depend on the applicant’s GMAT score and work history.

Another difference between CSU and UC…I had a lot more trouble getting necessary classes at CSU vs. the UC. If you’re in a popular major at CSU, like business, bring a lot of patience for class enrollment periods. ;)