Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State LA

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than Cal State LA based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 23,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State LA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Cal State LA? 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 Los Angeles than Cal State Fullerton ($4,460 vs. $7,064).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 3.1% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($19,080 vs. $19,696).
• California State University Fullerton is 4.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $310 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at Cal State Fullerton than at California State University Los Angeles (about $310 more per year; $20,070.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at California State University Fullerton (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 23.1% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($13,824 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State LA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or Cal State LA? 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 LA and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 120 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming Cal State Fullerton students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; California State University Los Angeles 870/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; California State University Los Angeles 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Cal State LA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Cal State LA (3.31).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 9.4% at Cal State LA.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State LA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Cal State LA? 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 Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $2,080 lower median loan debt than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($12,920 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($133 vs. $155).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.