Cal State Fullerton vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Chapman University 12:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Chapman? 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 Chapman ($7,064 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chapman University are 6.6% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($17,814 vs. $19,080).
• Chapman University is 769.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $57,514 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 223.8% higher at Chapman than at California State University Fullerton (about $44,914 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at California State University Fullerton (88% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 215.4% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($35,434 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chapman University (1350) is 260 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming Chapman students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Chapman (3.7).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Chapman (65.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Chapman? 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).

• Chapman University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from Chapman University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $5,938 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($155 vs. $216).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.