Poll: UC, Cal State University unaffordable to 77% of Californians

University of California and Cal State University are now considered unaffordable by a majority of Californians, according to the findings of a new poll.

"It's unfortunate that college expenses continue to rise every year," said CEO of Strategic College Consulting Dr. Jeff Haig.

The results of the April 2022 California Opinion Surveys found that even though 77% of Californians strongly value higher education, they have serious concerns about affordability, and how far a four-year degree will get them.

According to the poll, 60% of Californians believe UC schools — such as UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine — are not affordable. But strikingly, a majority of Californians also believe the more economic college choice in the Golden State, Cal State universities, are also unaffordable at 55%.

However, Haig said that an emphasis on academics and extracurriculars can unlock a lot of "free money" from a school or other organizations and he said there are other avenues as well. 

"Even when you're in college, you can also look around for scholarships within your department or outside of your department," he said. "And if you're a resident assistant, and many colleges, that's a free room and board." 

The poll also found that 63% of Californians believe that a four-year degree is no longer enough for a successful and profitable career — "many pathways" are needed. One of those pathways could conceivably include time at a community college, skills training center, vocational school, or technical education school, with 84% of Californians agreeing that degrees and certificates from these institutions are valuable.

"I understand it may not be for everybody," said student Cristhian Estrada.

Estrada said after graduating from Tustin High School, he chose the community college route to skip the financial gymnastics. 

"I was able to get a guaranteed transfer to a CSU along with a program that gives me free tuition," he said.

Through the California Promise Grant, Estrada's associate's degrees from Irvine Valley College were fully paid for when he transfers to a four-year school later this year. This grant allows him to pay for just two years of schooling. 

"I don't regret my mentality from thinking 'Oh community college isn't the best," he said. "Where now I believe it was the right choice for me." 

The poll was conducted by interviewing 1,200 California adults between April 7-18.