Cal State Fullerton vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 2,312 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Mount Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University ($7,064 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Saint Mary's University are 18.7% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($15,518 vs. $19,080).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 563.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $42,094 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Fullerton (about $29,494 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 249.1% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($39,218 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 80 points higher than at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming Cal State Fullerton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Mount Saint Mary's University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Mount Saint Mary's University (3.59).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Mount Saint Mary's 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).

• California State University Fullerton's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Mount Saint Mary's University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.