Cal State Fullerton vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB ($7,064 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 9.7% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($17,234 vs. $19,080).
• California State University Monterey Bay is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $309 more per year; $7,779.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at CSUMB than at California State University Fullerton (about $309 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at California State University Monterey Bay (78% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 8.5% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($12,185 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 30 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming Cal State Fullerton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at CSUMB (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Cal State Fullerton vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and CSUMB? 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 Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($14,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($144 vs. $155).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUMB 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.