CSU vs. Cal State Fullerton

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 15,257 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

CSU vs. Cal State Fullerton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 CSU ($7,064 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 13.5% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($16,500 vs. $19,080).
• California State University Chico is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $1,002 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at CSU than at California State University Fullerton (about $1,002 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at California State University Chico (78% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 2.4% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($11,509 vs. $11,234).

CSU vs. Cal State Fullerton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 20 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming CSU 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 State University Chico 970/1170; California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Cal State Fullerton - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

CSU vs. Cal State Fullerton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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 State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($155 vs. $175).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

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.