Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Riverside

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than UC Riverside based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 26,384 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Riverside is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; University of California Riverside 22:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Riverside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or UC Riverside? 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 UC Riverside ($7,064 vs. $14,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 7.8% lower than at University of California Riverside ($19,080 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 108.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $8,136 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.2% higher at UC Riverside than at California State University Fullerton (about $29,736 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at University of California Riverside (78% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 116.8% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($24,355 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Riverside Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 90 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 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 Riverside 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; University of California Riverside 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; UC Riverside - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Cal State Fullerton (3.77).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 12.2% at UC Riverside.

Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Riverside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside? 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 Riverside's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $4,109 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($155 vs. $197).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.