California Baptist University vs. Cal State Fullerton

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA with California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 11,902 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

California Baptist University vs. Cal State Fullerton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist University or Cal State Fullerton? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Fullerton than California Baptist University ($7,064 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 36.4% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($12,140 vs. $19,080).
• California Baptist University is 451.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $33,758 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.4% higher at California Baptist University than at California State University Fullerton (about $21,158 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at California State University Fullerton (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 138.1% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($26,743 vs. $11,234).

California Baptist University vs. Cal State Fullerton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University or Cal State Fullerton? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cal State Fullerton and California Baptist University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 30 points higher than at California Baptist University (1060).
• Incoming California Baptist University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Baptist University 960/1150; California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Baptist University 18/25; California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; Cal State Fullerton - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at California Baptist University (3.58).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than California Baptist University (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

California Baptist University vs. Cal State Fullerton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and Cal State Fullerton? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than California Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($15,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($155 vs. $279).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.