Does California State University pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, California State University employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.3 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at California State University. This rating has improved by 8% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at California State University?

68% of California State University employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated California State University 3.7 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.9 for culture and values and 3.3 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at California State University?

Student Assistant (31) , Graduate Assistant (9) , Adjunct Professor (8) , Administrative Assistant (7) , Graduate Teaching Assistant (5) , Research Assistant (5) , Adjunct Faculty (4) , Analyst (4) , Associate Professor (4) , Assistant Professor (3) , Lecturer (3) , Professor (3) , Teaching Assistant (3) , Teaching Associate (3) , Tutor (3)

What are the pros of working at California State University according to real employee reviews?

"People are good and nice." ((in 28 reviews)); "Great benefits as expected from a government job." ((in 26 reviews)); "Best part is flexible hours of working" ((in 13 reviews)); "The staff here is friendly" ((in 10 reviews)); "Growth driven environment, great colleagues, positive benefits both on and off campus, opportunity to grow from student to FT staff role" ((in 9 reviews))

What are the cons of working at California State University according to real employee reviews?

"Pay was low but compared to work it was not bad" ((in 33 reviews)); "low salary, 30 to 40% lower than private sector" ((in 13 reviews)); "It's staff going so far as to post on social media how abusive management practices are productive says it all." ((in 8 reviews)); "Worked here as a student tutor, so did not receive benefits, good wages, or good hours." ((in 2 reviews))

What are employees saying about California State University layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about California State University layoffs and their outlook for job security at California State University in 2026.

What are the top reviewed California State University locations?

Long Beach , Los Angeles , Fullerton , Chico , Northridge , San Bernardino , Hayward , Sacramento , Fresno , San Marcos , San Francisco , Bakersfield , San Jose , San Luis Obispo , Alhambra , Carson , Monterey Park , Simi Valley , Seaside , San Diego , Union City , Houston , Clovis , Arcadia , Azusa , Downey , El Monte , Orange , Pasadena , Pomona

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California State University

California State University reviews

3.9

68% would recommend to a friend

(384 total reviews)

Timothy P. White

80% approve of CEO

52% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.4

Diversity & inclusion

3.9

Culture & values

3.7

Work/Life balance

3.4

Senior management

3.3

Compensation and benefits

3.3

Career opportunities

California State University has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 384 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The California State University employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

384 reviews

3.0

Sep 30, 2013

Great faculty but lacking in resources available to students.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Solid collection of educators who care, some of which have experience in the film industry (given the proximity to LA).

Cons

The film equipment and facilities available to students is laughable. Campus social life is virtually non-existent at this commuter campus.

5.0

Apr 19, 2013

Great people all working together to provide an exceptional learning experience.

Isa

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The people are very committed to their work and are very nice to work with.

Cons

If you enjoy helping students acquire new skills, then there are none.

3.0

Aug 1, 2012

Simply awesome....

Professor

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

A lot of free time, students that are self driven, location etc There is no immediate supervisor for a professor, so life is pretty much self managed.

Cons

Pay had been stagnant since 2009. The state is broke and hence we are left with inflation overtaking the pay scale.

Viewing 373 - 375 of 384 Reviews

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California State University

California State University reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Great faculty but lacking in resources available to students.

Great people all working together to provide an exceptional learning experience.

Simply awesome....

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