California State University-Fresno vs. Cal State Fullerton

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, 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 State University-Fresno based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 24,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); California State University Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Fresno 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 Fresno 22:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. Cal State Fullerton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno 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 State University-Fresno ($7,064 vs. $7,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 37.3% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($11,960 vs. $19,080).
• California State University Fullerton is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $120 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Cal State Fullerton than at California State University Fresno (about $120 more per year; $20,070.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at California State University Fullerton (85% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 9.7% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($12,326 vs. $11,234).

California State University-Fresno vs. Cal State Fullerton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno 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 State University-Fresno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 90 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming Cal State Fullerton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100; California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; Cal State Fullerton - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

California State University-Fresno vs. Cal State Fullerton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno 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 Fullerton's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University Fresno's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton and California State University-Fresno graduates have the same median loan debt ($15,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, California State University Fullerton and California State University-Fresno graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($155 vs. $155).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.