Four Year Colleges and Universities (Public and Private)

High School Course Requirements for The University of California and California State University

”A-G Courses”

The CSU and UC systems require a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman. Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area. A grade of C or better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement.

The University of California (UC) System

The University of California (UC) system is a world-renowned public university system made up of 9 undergraduate campuses across the state, including well-known schools like UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. UC campuses are known for their academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and diverse student communities. They offer a wide range of majors—from the sciences and engineering to the arts and humanities—and prepare students for graduate school, professional careers, and global leadership. The UC system requires high school students to meet A-G requirements.  

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• Application: Please launch from California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)
• Personal Insight Questions
  • You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
  • Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
  • Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

University of California admission guidelines are designed to ensure you are well-prepared to succeed at UC. If you're interested in entering the University of California as a first-year student, you'll have to satisfy these requirements:

1. Complete 15 A-G courses (11 of them by end of junior year) 

You need to complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses (A-G courses) with a letter grade of C or better. You must complete at least 11 of these courses prior to the beginning of your last year of high school.

The 15 courses are:

2. Earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (3.4 if you're a nonresident) in these courses with no grade lower than a C.

Learn how to calculate the UC freshman GPA »

California students

If you're a state resident graduating from a California high school who has met the minimum requirements and aren't admitted to any UC campus to which you apply, you'll be offered a spot at another campus if space is available, provided:

• You rank in the top 9 percent of California high school students, according to our updated Statewide Index, or
   
• You rank in the top 9 percent of your graduating class at a participating high school. We refer to this as "Eligible in the Local Context" (ELC).

California State University (CSU) System

The California State University (CSU) system is one of the largest and most affordable public university systems in the United States, with 23 campuses across California. CSU schools offer a wide range of academic programs, hands-on learning experiences, and strong ties to local industries. Known for their focus on teaching and career preparation, CSU campuses are especially popular for majors like business, engineering, education, and the health sciences. With accessible admissions and a commitment to serving California's diverse student population, CSU is a great option for students looking for quality education at a reasonable cost. The CSU system requires high school students to meet A-G requirements.  

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Admission Requirements

​Freshman Admission Requirements

Freshman Admission Requirements for California Residents

Admission offices at the 23 campuses use three factors to determine eligibility.

Most applicants who are admitted meet the standards in each of the following areas:

​Specific high school courses (referred to as the “a-g” courses)

Grades in “a-g” courses

Graduation from high school

Many CSU campuses have higher standards for particular majors or for students who live outside their local admission area. Because of the number of students who apply, several campuses have higher standards (supplementary admission criteria) for all applicants. See Impaction at the CSU to determine if the campus or major you are interested in applying is impacted and may have higher or additional admission criteria.

Many CSU campuses use local admission policies for students who graduate or transfer from high schools and community colleges that are historically served by a CSU campus in that region. See CSU Local Admission & Service Areas for each campus here (PDF).

FRESHMAN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA

The three factors used to determine the admissibility of nonresident students are the same as those used for California residents.

Nonresident students need to complete the same pattern of courses, but need a higher grade point average (GPA). 

Please note that California residents receive priority whenever admission space is limited.

Private Colleges and Universities in the U.S.

Private colleges and universities in the United States offer a wide range of educational experiences, often with smaller class sizes, personalized attention, and strong campus communities. Unlike public institutions, private schools are funded through tuition, donations, and endowments rather than state governments. This means they may have higher sticker prices, but they often provide generous financial aid packages. Private institutions vary in size, location, and focus—some are liberal arts colleges, while others are research universities or faith-based schools. As you consider your options, exploring private colleges can open the door to unique academic and personal opportunities.

Students should consult the college or university website directly for application information. Below are the most widely used platforms for the application process:

Common App (Common Application)

• Used by: 1,000 colleges and universities, including many private and selective schools

• Best for: Applying to multiple schools with one main application

• Features: Personal statement, school-specific questions, recommendation letters

• Website: The Common Application

Coalition Application (via Scoir)

• Used by: 150 institutions, including many that emphasize access and affordability

• Best for: Students seeking support and planning tools, including low-income or first-generation applicants

• Website: Coalition Application

Common Black College Application (CBCA)

• Used by: 60 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

• Best for: Students applying exclusively to HBCUs

• Flat fee: Apply to all member schools for one fee

• Website: Common Black College Application

 Individual School Applications

• Some colleges, especially smaller or specialized institutions, offer their own online applications directly on their websites.

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) allows students who meet certain criteria to attend participating colleges and universities at a nonresident rate. From Understanding WUE Rates 

List of eligible schools

Explore WUE

If you are a resident of the West* and find your desired major or school is in another Western state or territory, WUE (the Western Undergraduate Exchange) can help you pay less for tuition. How? 170 participating public colleges and universities across the West offer students who live in the region an opportunity to receive reduced out-of-state tuition rate. 

The WUE tuition rate at participating schools promises to be no more than 150% of the in-state rate and some schools even offer the WUE rate equal to the cost of in-state tuition. Since out-of-state rates can be up to three times the cost of in-state rates, taking advantage of WUE could result in big savings for you and your family. 

*WUE-eligible locations include 15 U.S. states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) and three U.S. territories (the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa). For more information, visit Regions with WUE Schools. 

Determine Your Eligibility 

WUE is only available to residents of the West who want to attend a public out-of-state school that is also in the West. Use this checklist to help determine your eligibility and so that you may be one of the next students to benefit from reduced tuition. 

• Be a qualified resident of one of these 15 U.S. states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) or three territories (the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or American Samoa)
• Plan to study at a college or university in a state or territory in the West that is not your current location of legal residency. 
• Make sure your school of choice participates in WUE – not every school in the West does! WUE Resources for a list of participating WUE schools (or check the WUE Tuition Savings Finder for details on each institution’s WUE rate which is updated each December).

Find Your Place

If you meet the criteria above, the next step is to use the WUE Tuition Savings Finder. You can filter by state/territory or major or if you have a budget in mind for college, the WUE Tuition Savings Finder is a great online dashboard to help you search for options that fit your top priorities. 

• Ensure your school of choice offers the major you want (Some campuses exclude select majors from WUE eligibility.)
• Meet your school of choice’s criteria for admissions and for WUE. Along with that school’s general admissions standards, some require WUE-eligible students to meet specified GPAs, and ACT/SAT scores, etc..

Apply for Admission to Your School of Choice

Once you have determined your eligibility and found the school that is right for you, it’s time to apply for admission and start moving toward your academic and career goals. 

• Apply for admission directly to the school(s). 
• Don’t be shy – Make it known that you are seeking the WUE rate in your application. Typically, admissions offices handle WUE requests. However, some schools process WUE applications in their scholarship or financial aid offices.
• Apply early. As you may see on your chosen school’s WUE Tuition Savings Finder profile, some schools set earlier deadlines for WUE applicants or fill WUE student quotas on a first-apply, first-considered basis.
• Understand the true cost of college. WUE saves students only on tuition costs. Student fees, room, and board are not part of WUE savings, so make sure to budget for those additional costs.

Many WUE-participating campuses accept transfer students: Savings Finder here to see which ones.

Remember: WICHE oversees the WUE program, but does not accept college applications or make application decisions or give WUE awards. The WUE-participating colleges and universities make all admissions and financial aid decisions, so be sure to stay in touch directly with your school of choice during the application process

Stay Engaged and Informed

• Keep in touch with the admissions office and confirm all requirements directly with each school you applied to.
• Keep all WUE-award correspondence to verify the terms of your award and eligibility.
• Study hard. Retain good academic standing and, at some schools, meet a credit-hours minimum each term, to continue receiving WUE every academic year. Some schools do not extend WUE rates beyond a standard graduation interval (two years for associate’s, four years for bachelor’s).
• If you change majors and switch to a major that’s not “WUE eligible” at your school, you could lose your WUE discounted tuition.