Cal State Fullerton vs. UCLA

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Los Angeles is larger than Cal State Fullerton based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 43,662 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Los Angeles is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; University of California Los Angeles 20:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. UCLA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or UCLA? 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 UCLA ($7,064 vs. $14,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 3.7% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($18,369 vs. $19,080).
• University of California Los Angeles is 103.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $7,733 more per year; $15,203.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 146.2% higher at UCLA than at California State University Fullerton (about $29,333 more per year; $49,403.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at University of California Los Angeles (78% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Los Angeles students is 128.1% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($25,627 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. UCLA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 330 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming UCLA students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; University of California Los Angeles 29/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; UCLA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; UCLA Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Cal State Fullerton (3.77).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 50.4% at UCLA.

Cal State Fullerton vs. UCLA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of California Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $21,700 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $1,300 lower median loan debt than UCLA graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,300).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCLA graduates ($155 vs. $168).
• More UCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.