Caltech vs. Cal State Fullerton

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, 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 Caltech based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 2,430 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Institute of Technology 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 Institute of Technology 3:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

Caltech vs. Cal State Fullerton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Caltech 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 Caltech ($7,064 vs. $14,513).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 5.9% lower than at California Institute of Technology ($19,080 vs. $20,283).
• California Institute of Technology is 782.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $58,428 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 228.3% higher at Caltech than at California State University Fullerton (about $45,828 more per year; $65,898.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at California Institute of Technology (78% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Institute of Technology students is 544.2% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($72,373 vs. $11,234).

Caltech vs. Cal State Fullerton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Caltech 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 Caltech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Institute of Technology (1560) is 470 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming Caltech students have a 15 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 1530/1580; California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Institute of Technology 35/36; California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Caltech - Required; Cal State Fullerton - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Caltech Jan 3, 2027; Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Caltech students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Cal State Fullerton (3.77).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Caltech (2.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Caltech vs. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

Caltech vs. Cal State Fullerton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Caltech 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 Institute of Technology's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California Institute of Technology earn a median of about $36,800 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Technology graduates have a $650 lower median loan debt than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($14,350 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Caltech graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($148 vs. $155).

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.