<p>I know that overall, UC has a better reputation and prestige than the CSUs. However, I know that certain CSUs are "better" than some UCs in terms of academics and name value.</p>
<p>I just want to ask people here which you would prefer to attend solely for academic purpose: Top CSUs or Lower-half UCs?</p>
<p>Top CSUs:
Cal Poly SLO
San Diego State
San Jose State
Long Beach State</p>
<p>Lower UCs:
UC Merced
UC Riverside
UC Santa Cruz</p>
<p>Are you one of those people who goes "I'd choose lower UCs because it's still a UC and CSU will always be one step below UCs" or go for the top CSUs?</p>
<p>Well I personally would go to SDSU over every UC besides UCSB and UCLA.</p>
<p>I would never go to UCM/UCR. And I would hate UCSC because of the lack of sports and the super liberal student body. Also I would never go to any other CSU, besides Cal Poly Slo and SDSU.</p>
<p>I'm not fine with going to the worst UC, or a good CSU. SDSU and Cal Poly are exceptions. But if I get rejected from my favorites, I don't want to end up at a school like UCR or some average Cal State. </p>
<p>I personally went to Cal Poly over UCDavis for biology. I thought both schools had excellent academics, so I went with the cheaper school where I felt more comfortable.</p>
<p>I was never really interested in the "lower" UC's, but I'd probably go to UCSC over SDSU. SC is a pretty good school, especially in science.</p>
<p>To generalize, saying a lower ranked UC is better than an upper ranking CSU, will lead you to potential dissatisfaction. Meaning, if I find one circumstance where a CSU is better than a UC, your generalization would be proven false.</p>
<p>Instead, as others have said, look at the particular program. USNews seperates rankings in programs to find out how the school ranked with respect to that field.</p>
<p>I attended CSU Sacramento and was satisfied with their MBA program. Although it is not a top ten program, its faculty and lower costs have lead me to see the VALUE that comes with this school.</p>
<p>Yet another vote for "it depends on the program". An architecture student would choose Cal Poly SLO. An astronomy student would choose Santa Cruz. </p>
<p>Where you feel comfortable is also key. Riverside, for instance, has a reputation for being very supportive for minority students, to the point that some students chose UCR over UCLA because they thought they'd feel isolated at UCLA. A student looking forward to cheering on the football team and being part of the greek system would be happier at SDSU. I know that you asked just about which we would choose based on academic prestige, but making a choice here based on just academic issues is too limiting, in my opinion.</p>