The California State University system said it expects its 2007 graduation rates to be the highest ever in its 46-year history.
According to a press release from the CSU system, this year’s graduate total is expected to top the 2006 tally of 87,680 students. In addition, 8,250 students are expected to graduate from Cal State Long Beach in spring 2007, surpassing the spring 2006 total of 7,492 graduates.
Cal State Fullerton, Fresno State and San Jose State have some of the most notable graduation increases in the system compared to last year, marking record increases of 2,098, 1,664 and 1,189 graduating students, respectively.
“Maybe people are starting to realize the importance of a bachelor’s degree,” said Andrew Merwin, a junior biology major. “It’s getting harder to get a job without one.”
According to the CSU system, underrepresented community applications have increased as well, recording a 15 percent growth from Latinos, while blacks and Native Americans increased 12 percent.
The system has “implemented a number of measures to increase graduation rates and continue to enroll record numbers of students,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed in the press release. “With this growth, we need to advocate for the resources needed to maintain our access and the quality education students expect and deserve.”
“I feel like this year is the year everyone is finally finishing their units, especially those who have been here for six, seven years,” said Diana Oh, a senior arts major. “The addition of the computers and the Starbucks in the library makes the environment more comfortable for students to study in. This may make them want to stay on campus to study, which might in turn be helping more students graduate.”
In the final results from the last CSU system’s graduation, bachelor’s degrees showed the biggest increase, jumping from 66,768 to 69,350, while the number of master’s degrees awarded grew from 17,167 to 18,269. The final tally for 2007 will be available in October.
