Cal State Fullerton vs. Concordia University-Irvine

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than Concordia University-Irvine based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 3,658 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Concordia University Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Irvine is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Concordia University Irvine 13:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Concordia University-Irvine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Concordia University-Irvine? 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 Concordia University-Irvine ($7,064 vs. $29,845).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Irvine are 25.2% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($14,270 vs. $19,080).
• Concordia University Irvine is 482.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $36,010 more per year; $43,480.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 116.6% higher at Concordia University-Irvine than at California State University Fullerton (about $23,410 more per year; $43,480.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Irvine than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Irvine students is 157.8% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($28,966 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Concordia University-Irvine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or Concordia University-Irvine? 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 Concordia University-Irvine and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Concordia University Irvine (1150) is 60 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming Concordia University-Irvine students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Concordia University Irvine 1030/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Concordia University Irvine 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Concordia University-Irvine - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Concordia University-Irvine (3.61).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Concordia University-Irvine (66%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 11.6% at Concordia University-Irvine.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Concordia University-Irvine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Concordia University-Irvine? 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).

• Concordia University Irvine's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $700 more per year than Concordia University-Irvine graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $7,678 lower median loan debt than Concordia University-Irvine graduates ($15,000 vs. $22,678).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concordia University-Irvine graduates ($155 vs. $234).
• More Concordia University-Irvine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

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.