June 16, 2004 :: No. 239

Cal State Fullerton retains its No. 6 national ranking for the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to minority students, as reported in the June 2 issue of Black Issues in Higher Education.

The university remains the highest ranked overall among California State University campuses in the 14th annual “Top 100 Degree Producers” report on the number of undergraduate degrees awarded to minorities. In 2004, the university also was listed in sixth place.

The report, based on 2003-04 data submitted by institutions of higher education to the U.S. Department of Education, notes that the number of minority students graduating from CSUF grew by 12 percent since 2002-03.

“We’re pleased about the ongoing increase in minority students graduating from CSUF,” said Ephraim Smith, vice president for academic affairs. “This shows the great strides we’re making in access for all students.”

In addition to the overall standing, Cal State Fullerton is fifth in the nation and first in California for awarding undergraduate degrees to Hispanics, and 11th for undergraduate degrees awarded to Asian-Americans.

Listed by undergraduate academic programs, CSUF also ranks:
• second nationally for awarding bachelor’s degrees in business to Asian-Americans, fourth for business and education degrees awarded to all minorities combined and sixth for business degrees awarded to Hispanics;
• third in education degrees awarded to Asian-Americans, as well as fourth for Hispanics and all minorities combined; and
• seventh for ethnic studies degrees and ninth for math degrees awarded to Hispanics.

More than half of Cal State Fullerton’s students are people of color. Ethnic distribution per the latest census: 1 percent American Indian, 22 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, 3 percent black, 25 percent Hispanic, 35 percent white, 11 percent unknown and 4 percent international students.

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