January 2026

Universities

Comparing Four CSU Enrollment Growth Options

Resident Undergraduate Enrollment, 2026-27 Target

  Governor's Plana LAO Alternatives
  High End Mid-Range Low End
Percent Growth in Resident Undergraduatesb 2.1% 1.4% 1.2% 1.0%
Resident Undergraduate FTES Target Level 360,160 357,950 357,145 356,439
Resident Undergraduate FTES Growth Target 7,250 5,040 4,235 3,529
Already funded slotsc 3,993 3,993 3,993 3,993
New slots to fund 3,257 1,047 242 0
Funding (Millions)d $0 $12 $3 $0
Cost (Millions)e $37 $12 $3 $0
         
a The Governor's plan (1) retains the 2026-27 target the state set in June 2025 and (2) sets no enrollment target for CSU in 2027-28. The LAO recommends using an updated target for 2026-27 that better reflects recent enrollment and demographic trends. The LAO sets "High End" enrollment growth at CSU's projected 2026-27 level. In 2027-28, the LAO recommends holding enrollment flat at the 2026-27 level in response to the state's projected deficit.
b Reflects growth from CSU's estimated 2025-26 level of 352,910 FTE students.
c In 2022-23, CSU enrollment dropped markedly. Since that time, CSU has had enrollment funding in excess of its actual enrollment. In 2025-26, CSU's resident undergraduate enrollment is an estimated 3,993 FTE students below its funded level of 356,903 FTE students. (See "CSU's Funded Enrollment Level Under the Governor's Compact" for how this number was derived.) In 2026-27, we assume the state would provide new funding only for those FTE students above the existing funded level (356,903 FTE students).
d The Governor earmarks no funding directly for enrollment growth. The LAO alternatives appropriate funding directly for enrollment growth.
e Though the Governor's plan does not earmark funding for enrollment, there is an associated cost. The Governor expects CSU to cover the cost from within its unrestricted base increase. The LAO alternatives fund the associated cost directly, effectively shifting some funding from the base increase to enrollment growth. The state marginal cost rate per CSU student is $11,296 in 2026-27.
FTES = full-time equivalent student.