Campus Names

Below are the formal names of the CSU campuses:

California State University, Bakersfield
California State University Channel Islands*
California State University, Chico
California State University, Dominguez Hills
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fullerton
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt**
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Monterey Bay
California State University, Northridge
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona** 
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, San Bernardino
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
San José State University
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo** ⁺​
California State University San Marcos*
Sonoma State University
California State University, Stanislaus
California State University, Office of the Chancellor

*Please note Channel Islands and San Marcos do not have a comma in their formal names.

**Please note the order of Polytechnic and State when referring to Humboldt, Pomona and San Luis Obispo.

⁺In July 2025, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and California State University Maritime Academy began operating as one university, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The maritime campus is called Cal Poly Solano Campus and is home to Cal Poly Maritime Academy. ​​The integration process is anticipated to be complete​​ by fall 2026.

​Regarding the transition from 23 to 22 universities, ​use the phrase "22 universities" in your materials, with this asterisked note included at the bottom of the page: "*Transition to 22 universities in progress (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Maritime integrating)—official fall 2026." It is not necessary to include this note multiple times in a short document. In longer documents, consider noting it again at significant section or content breaks when the phrase is mentioned. Use "all universities" instead of "22 universities" when possible. 

Campus Abbreviations and Alternate Variations

After the firs​t mention of a campus, you can use the short form or the initials for variation, if applicable. Updated July 2025.​

​*California State University, Dominguez Hills prefers CSUDH as its short name rather than CSU Dominguez Hills. Cal State Dominguez Hills is specific to athletics only. ​

**San Francisco State prefers its short name to be SF State. Only use SFSU if no good alternative exists.

***Cal Poly does not use "San Luis Obispo" in its short form name. However, in instances when multiple CSU campuses ar​e mentioned, "Cal Poly San Luis Obispo" may be necessary to differentiate it from other campuses. Or say, "Cal Poly, which is located in San Luis Obispo..."

Exceptions

• When listing multiple universities, using the location name will suffice. For example: "The universities of the CSU system in Bakersfield, San Diego and San Luis Obispo were recognized..."  or "The CSUs in Bakersfield, San Diego and San Luis Obispo were recognized..." and "The enrollment numbers at Long Beach and San Jo​sé have increased."

When referring to the California State University (CSU) generally or the CSU system, please do not use:

• California State
  
• Cal State
• Cal State University
• Cal State U
• CS
• California-State-University
• California State University at (location name)
• For example: "The California State University at Bakersfield is..."

CSU Off-Campus Sites

Below are the names of larger or more recognizable off-campus sites. Updated November 2025.​