Cal State Fullerton vs. Sacramento State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than Sacramento State based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 31,943 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State Fullerton vs. Sacramento State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Sacramento State? 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 Sacramento State ($7,064 vs. $10,110).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 0.5% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($19,080 vs. $19,174).
• California State University Sacramento is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $548 more per year; $8,018.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.7% higher at Sacramento State than at California State University Fullerton (about $548 more per year; $20,618.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at California State University Fullerton (82% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 13.6% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($12,767 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Sacramento State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 60 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming Cal State Fullerton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Sacramento State (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; California State University Sacramento 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; California State University Sacramento 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Sacramento State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Sacramento State (3.42).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 15.3% at Sacramento State.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Sacramento State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Sacramento State? 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 Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Sacramento State graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sacramento State graduates ($155 vs. $162).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

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.