UC’s are no doubt nationally recognized as more prestigious compared to CSU’s. I just want to know if this really affects your ability to find a place in the workforce. Do employers care about where people graduated from? Does it depend on your major/field? Does going to a UC really increase your expected income after graduation?
Very few jobs and few employers really care where you obtain your Undergrad degree. Most employers look at your job skill set and what you can contribute to the company as a worker.
CSU’s were originally established to offer in-state local students the ability to obtain a 4 year degree and be placed out into the workforce, so a more hands-on approach is implemented.
UC’s were originally established for students wanting to go onto professional schools and graduate research.
The lines between the two have blurred significantly over the years and your income will be based on your type of major more than the school you attended.
Personal example: Older son attended a UC as an Environmental Science major, loves his job but makes significantly less than his younger brother whom attended a CSU as a Computer science major.
If you take advantage of all the opportunities available at either the CSU or UC, you will succeed and do well in life.
i agree - in most cases, it really doesn’t matter. There are millions of successful CSU graduates out there in virtually any field. Take a look at LinkedIn to see where employees from your favorite company went to college - or wikipedia for 'famous alumni - though those skew to media/entertainment and sports. If you make the most of your educational experience while you are a student at virtually any accredited college with internships, clubs, and leadership - you will be an appealing applicant. I work for a very large company with operations in 140 countries - we are in the process of hiring several people into my team, where they went to college simply never comes up - except in a negative way about UCB and UCLA - a few team members have found recent grads to be disruptive, needy and hard to get into the groove of working for a big company. My point being, most people have some bias based on their experience and it shows up in ways you won’r expect.
One minor nit with @gumbymom s comment above - graduating with a glowing resume from a CSU or UC does not guarantee success and happiness for the rest of your life. You have to work hard every day, be a good team mate and maintain relevant knowledge/skills and actively manage your career. As someone approaching retirement, I can assure you, things change in virtually every field at an alarming rate. There will be setbacks/detours/upsets along the way, you have to own your tomorrow as much as you can. .
More CSUSJ grads as Silicon Valley hires than from any UC, or CSU, I’m told. My SIL works, hires there and that is the mantra she shares. Getting through these programs is the catch. A lot of kids do not. Shortage of those who do.