Cal State Fullerton vs. Saint Mary's College of California

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 2,734 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State Fullerton vs. Saint Mary's College of California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Saint Mary's College of California? 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 Saint Mary's College of California ($7,064 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College of California are 7.8% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($17,600 vs. $19,080).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 673.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $50,333 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 188% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at California State University Fullerton (about $37,733 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 277.5% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($42,407 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Saint Mary's College of California Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or Saint Mary's College of California? 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 Saint Mary's College of California and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 70 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California 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; Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Saint Mary's College of California 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Saint Mary's College of California (3.6).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Saint Mary's College of California (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Saint Mary's College of California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Saint Mary's College of California? 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).

• Saint Mary's College of California's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $17,800 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 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 Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California 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.