Charles Sturt University has come out as one of a group of leading universities in Australia in a three year-study released today by the authors of the Good Universities Guide.

CSU has received consistently high ratings in the areas of getting a job and flexibility of entry achieving the maximum 15 point rating for each performance area.

This puts CSU in the top 20 per cent of universities with a high proportion of graduates getting a job or enrolling in further study. The five star rating in the flexible entry category means CSU's entry policies are flexible enough to put it in the top 20 per cent of universities admitting students other than school leavers.

CSU's Albury Campus was one of few NSW or ACT universities to make the list of top five performers in the area of graduate satisfaction with course experience.

An achievement recognised by Good University Guide authors Dean Ashenden and Sandra Milligan.

"Over the three year period NSW/ACT campuses dominated all ratings except for graduate satisfaction with their course experience. In that area the best performing NSW/ACT institutions are relatively small and in regional areas or cities, a pattern seen across the nation."

In response to the Guide's special mention of CSU as one of the best performing universities, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cliff Blake expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of this independent national assessment of comparative performances of universities.

"As a modern university, we have set out to gain quality career opportunities for our graduates and to establish flexible entry requirements to our students, who wish to prepare for entry to new and emerging professions by studying at a university.

"The authors of the Guide have highlighted how well those universities established following the restructure of higher education sector in 1990, have performed compared to many older universities.

"To receive this recognition for consistent, quality performance in these areas is most pleasing," Professor Bake said.

In the Year 2000 edition of the Good Universities Guide released today, CSU scored five star ratings in getting graduate jobs, positive graduate outcomes and entry flexibility. It also scored highly with four star ratings for indigenous participation and international enrolments.

CSU's Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Albury Campuses were each awarded a five star rating for academic services, recognition of a comprehensive level of service for students in areas such as study skill, academic counselling or advice on student's rights.