Cal State Fullerton vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($7,064 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 28.7% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($13,600 vs. $19,080).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 651.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $48,692 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 179.8% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University Fullerton (about $36,092 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (78% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 279.4% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($42,627 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 40 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

Cal State Fullerton vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $27,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($15,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $287 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($155 vs. $442).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.