Cal State Fullerton vs. DUofC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than DUofC based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Dominican University of California is in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Dominican University of California 8:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. DUofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or DUofC? 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 DUofC ($7,064 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University of California are 15.1% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($16,191 vs. $19,080).
• Dominican University of California is 598.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $44,691 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159.9% higher at DUofC than at California State University Fullerton (about $32,091 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 204.6% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($34,224 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. DUofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University of California (1260) is 170 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Dominican University of California 1210/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; DUofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at DUofC (3.66).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than DUofC (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 12.7% at DUofC.

Cal State Fullerton vs. DUofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Dominican University of California's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than DUofC graduates ($15,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($155 vs. $279).
• More DUofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.