CSU Global Review 2023

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CSU Global in a Nutshell

Overview

CSU (Colorado State University) Global is a 100% online, fully accredited state university offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Its attractive features include a tuition guarantee and flexible enrollment dates. 

In CSU Global’s course catalog, you’ll find a wide range of bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees, and professional certificates. These include nine bootcamp-style undergraduate certificates focusing on programming and similar tech skills. 

What is CSU Global? 

CSU Global’s undergraduate certificates are self-paced, and you can complete them in as little as six months. You’ll benefit from a 100% online curriculum, and you won’t ever have to attend scheduled classes or tutorials. 

This means that CSU Global is an excellent option for anyone who wants to complete a coding bootcamp while attending to other professional or personal commitments. Here’s a list of the bootcamp-style programs on offer. 

• Undergraduate Certificate in Business Administration

• Undergraduate Certificate in Computer Programming

• Undergraduate Certificate in Cyber Security

• Undergraduate Certificate in Data Management and Analysis

• Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Marketing

• Undergraduate Certificate in Informations Technology Operations

• Undergraduate Certificate in Marketing

• Undergraduate Certificate in Project Management

• Undergraduate Certificate in Web Application Development

Note that you can take longer than six months to complete your program if you need to work at a slower pace. This value is purely an estimated minimum. 

Is CSU Global Safe and Reliable? 

CSU Global was a pioneer in the online learning field, and it’s a super safe, reliable option. It was the first 100% online, fully accredited state university in the United States, and it has continued to deliver excellent service since its inception. 

Its accreditation is provided by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is recognized on a federal level by the US Department of Education. For me, this makes CSU Global stand out from its competitors, almost all of whom lack country-wide accreditation.

What’s more, CSU Global has an excellent reputation online. For example, it has an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and a star rating of 4.6/5 on its Facebook page.  

How CSU Global Works

CSU Global’s self-paced coding bootcamps are fully online. There are flexible start dates, so you can begin your program whenever it suits you. You’ll be able to access a range of recorded lectures and other online learning resources. 

Because of this, CSU Global students don’t have a lot of contact with their instructors or peers. There aren’t any set classes or lectures to attend, as all of the course materials are available at any time. On the plus side, though, you’ll be able to contact your tutors during business hours if you need to chat with someone about your work.

How to apply to CSU Global

The easiest way to apply to CSU Global is to head to the website and hit the “Apply Now” button. You’ll need to enter some information about yourself, the program you’re applying for, and when you want to start. 

You’ll also need to enter information about your prior study, work experience, and high school diploma. Then, pay the $25 application fee, hit “Confirm,” and submit your application. The whole process only took me around 10 minutes. 

As long as you meet the course prerequisites, your application should be successful, and a Tuition Planning Specialist will contact you within a few days. They’ll help you get started with CSU Global, explaining your payment options and how your program works. 

Once you’ve completed the admissions process, you’ll need to log in to the online learning portal on your course start date to begin.

Prerequisites

There are minimal prerequisites for CSU Global’s undergraduate certificate programs. You’ll need to: 

• Provide proof of a high school diploma with a GPA of 2.80 or higher

• Have two or more years of work experience

• Pass English competency tests if it’s not your first language

There are also other requirements for freshmen and transfer students, but these are minor. You can find a complete list of the prerequisites for each of CSU Global’s courses in its academic catalog. 

Cost

For undergraduate study, CSU Global charges a flat rate of $350 per course credit. Most of the undergraduate certificates are 18 course credits, which equals a total cost of $6,300. The only exception is the Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Marketing, which is a 15-credit hour course that costs only $5,250. 

I found CSU Global’s prices to be very competitive, coming in at around half to a third of the price of many competitors’ programs. You’ll also benefit from a tuition guarantee preventing price-hikes mid-study, and you won’t have to pay any student fees or other hidden costs. 

There are also various scholarships available, along with a Military Tuition Assistance program. Federal Financial Aid is available for qualifying students, and the Financial Aid team will help you figure out the best option for your situation.

CSU Global Student Resources

Anyone can speak with the CSU Global team via live chat, phone, or email. The team should respond immediately to phone and live chat requests during business hours, which are Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (MT). 

You’ll also have access to a wide range of student resources at every stage of your journey with CSU Global. 

Pre-admissions

Before you’re accepted as a student at CSU Global, you’ll be able to chat with the enrollment team via phone, email, or live chat. On the website, there’s a wide range of information about the institution's programs, as well as loads of FAQs. 

While you’re studying

During your studies, you’ll have access to various student resources through the Office of Student Success. These include: 

• A comprehensive virtual library

• 24/7 phone, live chat, and email tech support

• 24/7 live tutoring

• Disability services

I found the team very friendly, and I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out at any time if you have concerns or queries.

Post-graduation

CSU Global offers a range of post-graduate support options through its Career Services team. You’ll be able to access various career and job search resources, including interview prep, resume and cover letter assistance, offer negotiations, and more. 

You’ll also be able to network with other alumni, mentors, and others through CSU’s Global Connect website.

CSU Global Visit Site

CSU Global Alternatives

How CSU Global compares with other tech bootcamps

CSU Global vs Flatiron School

Flatiron School offers four programs compared to CSU Global’s nine, and it’s almost triple the price. However, it’s known for its immersive, structured programs, as opposed to CSU Global’s self-paced course structure. Because of this, I’d recommend Flatiron School if you’re looking for a guided learning experience, and CSU Global if flexibility is more important. 

CSU Global vs Thinkful

Thinkful offers slightly fewer programs than CSU Global, and it’s somewhat more expensive. However, it stands out because of its payment plan that allows you to defer until you’re hired. Because of this, Thinkful is an excellent choice for anyone on a tight budget. However, I’d still recommend CSU Global for its flexible, self-paced programs. 

CSU Global vs Masterschool

Masterschool has three coding bootcamps that are available on a part-time basis. It’s more expensive than CSU Global, but it has a pay-when-you’re-hired option that’s quite attractive. But at the end of the day, you’ll want to go for CSU Global if you’re looking for an intensive bootcamp that you can complete in your own time. 

Bottom Line

All things considered, I enjoyed my time interacting with and testing CSU Global. It’s a top-rated online university boasting federally-recognized accreditation, and it offers a good selection of short undergraduate certificates. 

These self-paced programs can be completed in as little as six months, and they’ll set you up for a career in tech. You’ll have access to great student resources while you study, including an online academic library. I’d suggest considering CSU Global if you’re looking for an affordable coding bootcamp but have other commitments that prevent you from attending a full-time course with scheduled classes. 

FAQs

Is CSU Global legitimate? 

Yes, CSU Global is a legitimate online university offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It’s accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a federally-recognized international accreditation agency. On top of this, it has excellent reviews across the web and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 

Is CSU Global hard to get into? 

CSU Global is actually quite easy to get into. It has few prerequisites for its undergraduate certificate programs, and you should be accepted if you meet these. You can get in touch with the admissions team if you would like to find out more about the admissions process. 

Is CSU Global a real university? 

Yes, CSU Global is a real public university with federally recognized accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). It’s a member of the Colorado State University System and offers a range of undergraduate- and graduate-level programs. Note, though, that it only offers online study. There’s no physical campus, so there are no on-campus study opportunities.