<p>Here is lots of interesting data about San Jose State University students. San Jose State University is a moderately selective undergraduate and master's degree university that predominantly gets students from its region; about half of the frosh live on campus.</p>
<p>For example, selecting computer science, then selecting summary by cohort under the traditional method (by first declared major), we get this table:</p>
<p>After one year, 79.7% of incoming computer science majors are still at the school, but only 48.6% are still in the major. After six years, 59.5% have graduated or are still enrolled, but only 18.9% graduated or are still enrolled in the major.</p>
<p>Other majors also appear to have low retention in major rates (typically under 30% after six years). Overall, it looks like only 17.7% of entering frosh are graduated or are still enrolled in the same major that they entered with, according to this table:</p>
<p>Average course loads are around 12 or 13 units, which is just barely full time, and less than the 15 units needed to complete the 120 units needed for graduation in 8 semesters.</p>
<p>Other reports indicate that fall enrollment is higher than spring enrollment, and the number of lower division, upper division, and graduate students in each major.</p>
<p>Good information as always @UCBalumnus.
I’m still learning about eligibility index for SJSU. DS is applying to animation major at SJSU. His EI is 1090 (ACT). Min EI for animation is 1012. If he meets the minimum EI, does it mean that he will automatically be accepted, or does the computer just line up the applicants by EI and then makes a cut off based on number of acceptance spots? Also, I presume that HS rigor is not taken into account for SJSU? </p>
<p>Losing more than 20% of frosh is really not acceptable - kids/family are losing valuable dollars and time.
At certain time, I do lose faith in state schools.</p>
<p>But not surprising for a school that is not at the top tier of admissions selectivity. The mission of less selective state universities and open admission community colleges is often to give everyone a chance to see if s/he can do college level work, even if his/her high school record was less than outstanding. It is not surprising that not every such student succeeds.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus - I understand their mission. However, Cal state is not cheap these days (I believe they are running 4-6K a year just for tuition). I think it would be ideal to keep the drop out rate to less than 10%. Perhaps, the adcom should steer some of the kids to cc instead of admitting them. But I guess those poor adcom’s are probably overwork ed and underpaid.</p>
<p>Most CSUs’ admissions committees are probably computer programs that just rank applicants by CSU eligibility index and admit from the top down until the major and/or campus has admitted enough to be full (taking into account expected yield).</p>
<p>CSU in-state tuition of $5,472 is obviously more than that of California CCs at approximately $1,380 in-state, but less expensive than many other schools, including less selective private schools with similar retention and graduation rates.</p>
<p>But tuition and fees at most CSUs run between 7-8.5K…and then there’s room and board.</p>
<p>But, for local families of moderate or low income, there are Cal and Pell Grants, so the local CSU may be affordable to many.</p>
<p>It’s hard to get detailed info on scholarships at each CSU, but it would be nice if CSUs enticed high achieving students with great scholarships. I know CSULB has a National Merit Scholarship, but I don’t know if any others have then for kids with high SATs and strong GPA.</p>
<p>Pipe-dreams meet reality. Not everyone is cut out to do a CS major well. But many are told it’s the way to riches and try it. Also good for SJSU that it has high stds in CS so that those that do graduate get good jobs. (which they do BTW). </p>
<p>Any idea how that compares to other CSUs and even UCs?. </p>
<p>CS is a demanding major and lots of freshmen are ‘weeded out’ at most campuses - even CCs. Lots of 18 year old gamers expecting to create the next Call of Duty are shocked by the course rigor and time demands. Some quickly switch majors to CIS or get out of computers altogether. Others fail class after class and are shown the door. CS is not for the faint of heart and is actually one of the most selective majors at SJSU. </p>
