Los Angeles Times reports today that the Cal State University system currently graduates 48% of its students in 6 years. Graduating only 48% of its students in 4 years is unacceptable.

52% either never graduate or graduate in their 7th or 8th year.

PARENTS AND STUDENTS do the math…the cost of a Cal State education will likely exceed that of a private school. 65% of students at LMU graduate in 4 years.

To address the problem the Cal States are considering reducing the number of general education requirements and not allowing students to change majors easily. These changes and more online audits of student credits is hoped to raise graduation rates to 54% BY 2016 (raise it 1.25% each year..) Cal State officials are putting the blame on the students. First, all students should be required to take general education requirements given the likelihood of changing careers five times. Second, no help for the students who know their major but there is no space–ie nursing. THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT INROADS INTO THE LOW GRADUATION RATES IS MORE CAPACITY, MORE CLASSES AND MORE GUIDANCE.