Funding for universities is a hot topic in the state capital of Sacramento. Colleges in California have fought government budget cuts in hard economic times, budget cuts that would force them to raise tuition or cut back services. At the same time, some observers argue that high salaries for university officials are the real cause of tuition hikes.

Another contentious issue is that of illegal immigration. In 2011, the state legislature passed the “Dream Act,” which gives financial aid for higher education to illegal immigrants. While opponents argue that this bill will only increase costs for an already cash-strapped university system, proponents say that a well-educated state population benefits everyone.

Current and prospective university students in California, even if they have no interest in politics, need to pay close attention to the state legislature. Legislators as well as the governor have the power to affect their education, and as a consequence, their wallets.

Choosing where to get an education is one of the major decisions that will have to be made in your lifetime. Be smart about it, know what you want and set goals to obtain it. There are guidance counselors that will help along the way, but ultimately it is your efforts and desire to succeed that will lead you down that golden road.

The overall California college graduation rate is about sixty-one percent according to Complete College America as of September 2011. The average job placement rate is about fifty-five percent. With perseverance and hard work, anything can be accomplished. Perhaps with your field of study, you could start a business of your own doing what you love.

Do not let statistical figures become a blockade on your road to success. Opportunity is around every corner, you just have to be looking for it and take advantage.

In southern California, there are many top colleges in the Los Angeles area, including: University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), one of the highest ranked public schools in the nation; and the University of Southern California (USC), a private school with over 130 majors for students to choose from. Right outside of Los Angeles is the suburb of Claremont, California, where there are several excellent private schools, including: Pomona College, a school that has small class sizes and one of the top 10 liberal arts programs in the nation; and Scripps College, a women’s liberal arts college with about one thousand students.

In the southernmost area of San Diego there is the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), which has a highly ranked engineering school and an active chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

The Whittier Scholars Program encourages students to think proactively about the connections between disciplines. Instead of following a set academic course, students work closely with their peers and faculty advisors to design their own educational plans. Students complete capstone projects and present their work to each other and the wider college community.

The Johnson Center for Integrative Studies at the University of Redlands also affords students the opportunity to design their own education. Students in this program work closely with faculty advisors to craft a program of study. They use a non-traditional grading system and live in a collaborative learning dorm.

Both the Whittier Scholars Program and the Johnson Center for Integrative Studies embrace the forward-thinking mentality often attributed to Californians. These unique programs allow students who wish to pursue study in various fields the opportunity to do so without the burden of completing double majors. They stress creative thinking and prepare students for lifelong achievement. The hits keep comin’: Integrated Studies in the Liberal Arts – Departmental Writing

California community colleges have seen the costs of enrollment rise by thirty-seven percent this year. However, the average cost of attending a California community college is $1,119 each year is lower than the national average of $3,288.

The Cal State system has seen cuts in its funding as well as an increase in the costs of attending them. But while the costs changed to $6,521 each year, these increases still fall under the national average of $7,186.

The only educational system in California that seems to rise above the national average is the UC system. As the UCs saw an annual cost of $13,200, it rose above the national average of only $9,185.

The state of California educates almost two-million students; nearly ten percent of the nation’s college students. With such a large amount of people to educate under many budget cuts, it stands to reason that these costs would go up; but California is still a relatively inexpensive place to get an education.