Cal State Fullerton vs. Loyola Marymount

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than Loyola Marymount based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 10,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Loyola Marymount University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Loyola Marymount University 10:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Loyola Marymount Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount ($7,064 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 13.4% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($19,080 vs. $22,026).
• Loyola Marymount University is 734.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $54,887 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 210.7% higher at Loyola Marymount than at California State University Fullerton (about $42,287 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola Marymount University students is 116.5% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($24,318 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Loyola Marymount Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola Marymount University (1350) is 260 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming Loyola Marymount students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Loyola Marymount University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Loyola Marymount - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Cal State Fullerton (3.77).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Loyola Marymount (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 14.8% at Loyola Marymount.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Loyola Marymount Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Loyola Marymount University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,700 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $6,668 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($155 vs. $224).
• More Loyola Marymount graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.