Charles Sturt University has been named the best in Australia for getting graduates into jobs, but the victory comes with a stark warning: the university is losing money on the very courses western NSW needs the most.
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The 2026 Good Universities Guide has revealed CSU has been ranked first for graduate employment - with the highest percentage among all Australian universities when it comes to graduates finding full time employment, with the bulk of those landing jobs in regional areas.
But vice-chancellor, Professor Renée Leon says the positive news comes in the face of turbulent circumstances.
She revealed current modelling is leaving CSU financially hamstrung, with key courses for regional NSW now being run at a loss.
"To be named Australia's leading university for graduate employment at any time is a wonderful result, but to achieve this feat in the face of our current funding headwinds is truly remarkable," Professor Leon said.
"Unfortunately, the current one-size-fits-all funding model for Australian universities means we are forced to run some of regional Australia's most desperately needed courses at a loss, including medicine, dentistry and veterinary studies."
She declared the current climate "not sustainable".
"Especially when coupled with updated international student caps that will leave us with 1400 fewer new international students each year than our pre-pandemic levels," she added.
"For the sake of our students, staff, regional Australia's workforce and the prosperity of its communities, we will continue to seek equitable solutions to these problems."
In June, 2025, Professor Leon confirmed the university would have to shed jobs to help make up a $35m deficit in the institution's operating budget.
2026 Good Universities Guide
Charles Sturt ranks first in the country for undergraduates who find full-time employment within four months of graduating with the highest per centage among all Australian universities.
According to the Good Universities Guide, the university's graduates have the second-highest starting median salary in the country at $75,100, a statement from CSU confirmed.
More than 70 per cent of Charles Sturt graduates live and work in regional Australia upon leaving the University, providing the skilled workforce regional communities desperately need: teachers, nurses, social workers, dentists, midwives, allied health professionals, doctors and vets.
Our students leave their courses equipped with hands-on experience and industry-leading knowledge.
- Charles Sturt vice-chancellor, Professor Renée Leon.
Charles Sturt presently has more than 6000 equivalent full-time students enrolled in these high-need courses.
Professor Leon said the university is proud of its record as Australia's graduate employment leader.
"Charles Sturt University's ranking in the Good Universities Guide for undergraduate employment is a testament to the value of our courses and the quality of our teaching and facilities," she said.
"Our students leave their courses equipped with hands-on experience and industry-leading knowledge. As such, they are sought after by employers."
Where CSU is excelling
Despite the challenges Professor Leon details, the 2026 GUG revealed Charles Sturt led all Australian universities for full-time undergraduate employment in fields including:
- Law and paralegal studies (96 per cent)
- Nursing (95 per cent)
- Social Work (93 per cent)
The fields of study where CSU ranked in the top three universities nationally for undergraduate employment include:
- Business Management (91 per cent)
- Health Services and Support (90 per cent)
- Psychology (81 per cent)
- Agriculture and Environmental Studies (90 per cent)
More doctors
Despite the challenges, more doctors are on the way for regional NSW after it was confirmed CSU will receive an additional 10 Commonwealth-Supported Places (CSPs) each year for students in the Doctor of Medicine course, widening the pipeline of bush doctors for regional Australia.
The new allocation means that from 2026 the course will have 47 CSPs, dramatically increasing its ability to address critical doctor shortages across regional, rural and remote communities.
Professor Renée Leon declared the additional placements as a win for regional Australians.
"We welcome this announcement and thank the Government for recognising the importance of training doctors in regional settings, who then go on to work in regional towns - we know our local GPs are the lifeblood of our towns, cities and communities," Professor Leon said.
"These additional places mean more students will study medicine here in regional Australia and, importantly, more doctors will work in regional communities when they graduate."
