CSU is one of Australia's worst-performing universities in terms of world rankings.
Charles Sturt University is ranked #822 in the world, based on a composite of QS, Times, and Webometrics rankings. In Australia, CSU is ranked #35 out of 42 universities.
Charles Sturt University (CSU) is a multi-campus, regional university that delivers most of its courses online. CSU is Australia's biggest online university and was formed in 1989 when several Advanced Education Colleges merged.
Website: csu.edu.au | Campuses: Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Goulburn, Orange, Port Macquarie, Sydney, Wagga Wagga [NSW], Canberra [ACT], Melbourne [VIC]
CSU World Ranking
Global Ranking: 822
Charles Sturt University is ranked #822 in the world. CSU generally ranks inside the top 1000, although is unranked by Shanghai ARWU.
QS ranking: 875
Times Higher Education: 900
Shanghai ARWU: Unranked
Webometrics: 663
Australia Ranking
Australia Rank: 35
CSU is ranked #35 in Australia out of 42 universities. It's ahead of the University of New England, which is also a mainly online university based in New South Wales.
Above: SCU (32), Victoria University (33), Bond University (34)
Below: University of the Sunshine Coast (36), Federation University (37), UNE (38)
Is Charles Sturt University Good?
Charles Sturt University (CSU) is an excellent choice for students needing flexible learning options. CSU is Australia's biggest online university. Distance education allows you to study from any location while accessing full support services.
Distance education
Regional campuses
Technology lessons
CSU’s regional campuses provide practical, community-oriented learning environments. Students also benefit from tech-focused courses and modern facilities, gaining job-relevant skills.
Satisfaction: 78.9%
Charles Sturt University reviews show varied satisfaction levels, with 73.5% for bachelor degrees and 84.2% for postgraduate students. Uni Reviews provides individual ratings and comments.
How Many Students?
Students: 34,780
Charles Sturt University had a total of 34,780 students in 2023, making it the 16th largest university in Australia. CSU is the 6th biggest university in New South Wales.
- International students: 3,397 (10%)
- Postgraduate students: 9,356 (27%)
- Gender ratio: 68% Female : 32% Male
- On-campus students: 10,482 (30%)
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate: 83%
The Charles Sturt University acceptance rate is 83%. Among students with an ATAR that qualifies for university, 17% are unable to be admitted into their preferred degree.
Required ATAR: 58
It is easy to get into CSU, with a minimum ATAR of 58 on average. At the time of publishing, the ATAR threshold was 55 for Arts and Bachelor of Business, and 65 for Science degrees.
Can I Do CSU Online?
Yes, Charles Sturt University (CSU) offers extensive online study options. Around 70% of the student population is enrolled in online courses. Popular fields of study at Charles Sturt University Online include Education, Health, and Information Technology. CSU is classified as an open university due to its large enrolment of online learners.