Cal State Fullerton vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($7,064 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 48.3% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($9,868 vs. $19,080).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 305.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $22,795 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.8% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Fullerton (about $10,195 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 51.2% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($16,982 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and Cal State Fullerton.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120) is 30 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at John Paul the Great Catholic University (3.56).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

Cal State Fullerton vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($155 vs. $266).

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.