Cal State Fullerton vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands ($7,064 vs. $10,632).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Channel Islands are 18.8% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($15,490 vs. $19,080).
• California State University Fullerton is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $311 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Cal State Fullerton than at California State University Channel Islands (about $311 more per year; $20,070.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at California State University Fullerton (79% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 11.5% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($12,528 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands and Cal State Fullerton.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

Cal State Fullerton vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than CSU Channel Islands graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $183 lower median loan debt than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,183).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($155 vs. $156).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Channel Islands students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.