Trends in Higher Education: Student Outcomes [Publication Details]

Apr 18, 2024 - This brief is the third of a six-part series covering higher education trends in California. The third brief focuses on student outcomes and how they have changed over the past few decades. The brief also raises key issues for the Legislature to consider as it makes related policy and budget decisions.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/4895

Assessment of CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025

Dec 10, 2025 - CSU has also already set systemwide retention rate targets for the 2027 fall cohort: 88  percent first ‑year retention rate (a  4 ‑percentage ‑point increase), 81  percent second ‑year rate (a 9 ‑percentage ‑point increase), and 78  percent third ‑year rate (an 8 ‑percentage ‑point increase).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5099

Assessment of CSU’s Graduation Initiative 2025 [Publication Details]

Dec 10, 2025 - This report focuses on the California State University’s (CSU’s) Graduation Initiative 2025 (GI 2025). This initiative aimed to increase graduation rates and close gaps in graduation rates among particular student groups by 2025. In the report, we provide background on GI 2025, then discuss associated funding and activities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Detail/5099

The 2026-27 Budget: California Community Colleges

Mar 5, 2026 - We recommend deciding on the COLA rate after better information is available this spring. By the May Revision, the Legislature w ill have finalized data on the price index typically used to calculate the COLA rate.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5150

The 2026-27 Budget: University of California

Feb 26, 2026 - The supplemental rate for nonresident undergraduates (which is in addition to the base rate for resident students) is set at $39,270. The supplemental rate rises by $1,668 (4.4  percent) from 2025 ‑26.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5143

The 2026-27 Budget: California State University

Feb 24, 2026 - Pension Contribution Rates Have Remained Relatively Flat in Recent Years. CalPERS additionally administers pension benefits for CSU and most other state employees. The CalPERS Board sets employer contribution rates for pensions as a percentage of payroll.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5142

The 2026-27 Budget: California Education Learning Lab

Mar 25, 2026 - For example, some Learning Lab projects have resulted in higher pass rates for certain STEM courses while other projects have been linked to improving students ’ motivation and sense of belonging. Projects Are Challenging to Scale.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5171

The 2026-27 Budget: Higher Education Overview

Feb 5, 2026 - Cal Grant costs increased at a historically high rate in 2024 ‑25 and are projected to increase at even higher rates in 2025 ‑26 and 2026 ‑27. Program costs are increasing due to both higher caseload and higher award amounts resulting from various policy changes.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5112

Assessment of the Strong Workforce Program

Dec 10, 2025 - Health, a much larger sector, also had a relatively fast growth rate. Education and human development, meanwhile, had the lowest growth  rate. CTE Awards Have Increased Substantially, Likely Due to Factors Beyond SWP.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5098

The 2026-27 Budget: California Student Aid Commission

Feb 17, 2026 - Specifically, the MCS calculation assumes a student works 15 hours per week, 39 weeks per year, at the state minimum wage rate, as adjusted annually. For dependent students with household incomes of more than $100,000, the MCS calculation also deducts a parent contribution.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5127