Cal State Fullerton vs. Pitzer

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than Pitzer based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 1,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State Fullerton vs. Pitzer Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Pitzer? 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 Pitzer ($7,064 vs. $34,979).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 13.9% lower than at Pitzer College ($19,080 vs. $22,150).
• Pitzer College is 772.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $57,722 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 224.8% higher at Pitzer than at California State University Fullerton (about $45,122 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at Pitzer College (78% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pitzer College students is 358.3% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($51,487 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Pitzer Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• 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; Pitzer - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Pitzer Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pitzer students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Cal State Fullerton (3.77).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Pitzer (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 35.8% at Pitzer.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Pitzer Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Pitzer College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from Pitzer College earn a median of about $600 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $895 lower median loan debt than Pitzer graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,895).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitzer graduates ($155 vs. $164).
• More Pitzer graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.