The CSUs tend to be better connected to local employers and often use them for internships. The CSUs are a really important engine of the California economy providing an educated workforce in teaching, engineering and other white collar jobs. The UCs are R-1 research intensive universities that offer PhDs and are less focused on immediate employability of graduates and more on teaching the essentials for getting advanced degrees and generating new knowledge and innovation. I know that at UC Davis about half of undergraduates participate in research for example.These are both important missions but they are not the same thing. Back to WSU and Caden Pinnick: WSU is also an R-1 Carnegie designated research intensive university but within that category it’s not up there with UC
Davis. According to Gemini AI “In the U.S. News 2026 rankings, UC Davis ranks significantly higher as #32 nationally and #9 among public universities, known for strong research and social mobility, while Washington State University (WSU) is further down, at #192 nationally and #104 for public schools, reflecting different positions within national university tiers, according to U.S. News & World Report.” So should Caden have any interest in pursuing an elite graduate degree he’d have been much better off staying at UC Davis, but that may not be important to him. It’s also true that where you go to school shapes your vision of what is possible and interesting.

I’m going to miss watching Caden Pinnick and I appreciate that $ is an important motivator. But it’s not the only currency at play. How much is a UC Davis education worth over a lifetime and career? Much less living in Northern California, and making deep connections with the people who will be fellow alumni. I am guessing that Pinnick didn’t see himself as having a good shot at a pro career as a QB, so his chance to earn a pot of money to start out life is now, not in 4-5 years. So how much of a pot is a UC degree worth with the connections and educational reputation it represents, in comparison with a WSU degree and experience? What would it have taken you to make that choice if it was yours?