Cal State Fullerton vs. SAC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than SAC based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 27,248 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Santa Ana College is in Santa Ana, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Ana College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Santa Ana College 33:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. SAC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or SAC? 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 Santa Ana College than Cal State Fullerton ($5,894 vs. $7,064).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 13.8% lower than at Santa Ana College ($19,080 vs. $22,126).
• California State University Fullerton is 533.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SAC (about $6,290 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $1,180.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.6% higher at Cal State Fullerton than at Santa Ana College (about $9,314 more per year; $20,070.00 vs. $10,756.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Ana College than at California State University Fullerton (89% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fullerton students is 66% larger than aid received by Santa Ana College students ($11,234 vs. $6,768).

Cal State Fullerton vs. SAC Admissions comparison

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

• Santa Ana College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; SAC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; SAC Apr 1, 2027.

Cal State Fullerton vs. SAC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than SAC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Ana College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($7,500 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, SAC graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($77 vs. $155).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SAC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 47%)

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.