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#17 Best Public Universities in California

Cal State Fullerton Admission Requirements

Fullerton, California

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Your chances of getting into California State University Fullerton

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

66.7%
Admission Difficulty for California State University Fullerton
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very Easy 
Applicant Competition Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Cal State Fullerton is 66.7%.  Its admission rate is the 47th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Cal State Fullerton and can you get accepted?

Cal State Fullerton is a moderately competitive school to get into. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the criteria. Last year, 32,527 out of the 48,748 who applied were admitted.

California State University Fullerton typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.77. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Cal State Fullerton?

67% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to California State University Fullerton you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.77 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1090 on the SAT
  • Score 20 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Cal State Fullerton GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.77

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into California State University Fullerton?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Cal State Fullerton are to have around a 3.77 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as Cal State Fullerton accepts 67% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Cal State Fullerton is 3.77 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #21 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Cal State Fullerton is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted California State University Fullerton students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 2.9% Good
3.75 to 3.99 35.4% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 38.7% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 17.4% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 3.8% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.5% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.2% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0.0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Cal State Fullerton SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by California State University Fullerton. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1000-1180

Applicants Submitting SAT 

93%
SAT Scores for California State University Fullerton
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 500
Math 25th Percentile 500
Composite 25th Percentile 1000
SAT Scores for California State University Fullerton
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 590
Math 75th Percentile 590
Composite 75th Percentile 1180
Average SAT Score 1090

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California State University Fullerton?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Cal State Fullerton is 1090 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1000-1180. Students who get into California State University Fullerton score in the top 60 percent of all SAT test takers..  Cal State Fullerton ranks #48 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1090 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Cal State Fullerton regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1000 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1000, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

California State University Fullerton is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1090 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1090, you have around a 67% chance of being admitted. A 1180 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 79% chance of getting in.

California State University Fullerton admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1180 and Above Good >79%
1090 to 1180 Avg + 67%-79%
1000 to 1090 Avg - 52%-67%
910 to 1000 Reach 36%-52%
Less than 910 Low <36%
Calculate My Chances 

Cal State Fullerton ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

18-23 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

31%
ACT Scores for California State University Fullerton
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 17
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 18
ACT Scores for California State University Fullerton
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 23
Math 75th Percentile 24
Composite 75th Percentile 23
Average ACT Score 20

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Cal State Fullerton?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Cal State Fullerton is 20, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 23.  The school ranks #50 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 20. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

31 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California State University Fullerton.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California State University Fullerton is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Cal State Fullerton for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 20 score has around 67% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 81% with a 23 ACT score.

California State University Fullerton admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
23 and Above Good >81%
20 to 23 Avg + 67%-81%
18 to 20 Avg - 55%-67%
16 to 18 Reach 42%-55%
Less than 16 Low <42%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

59% of California State University Fullerton freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 20% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted California State University Fullerton students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 20%
Top 25% of class 59%
Top 50% of class 93%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

California State University Fullerton admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 28,530 20,218 48,748
Accepted 19,662 12,865 32,527
Acceptance Rate 69% 64% 67%
Enrolled 3,080 2,200 5,280
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 16% 17% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2024

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Nov 30, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University Fullerton is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to California State University Fullerton and what student information is used for admission decisions?

California State University Fullerton Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at California State University Fullerton
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Cal State Fullerton is moderately competitive, you have a strong chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.77 GPA, you have a very good likelihood of getting in. A 1090 on the SAT and 20 on the ACT will further lock in your application.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to California State University Fullerton often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110565 IPEDS survey data for California State University Fullerton.

Last updated February 24, 2024