Cal State Fullerton vs. UNM

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with University of New Mexico Main Campus in Albuquerque, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than UNM based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 23,124 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); University of New Mexico Main Campus is in Albuquerque, NM (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Mexico Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; University of New Mexico Main Campus 15:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. UNM Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or UNM? 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 University of New Mexico Main Campus than Cal State Fullerton ($6,347 vs. $7,064).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of New Mexico Main Campus are 37% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($12,026 vs. $19,080).
• University of New Mexico Main Campus is 35.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $2,670 more per year; $10,140.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.7% higher at UNM than at California State University Fullerton (about $12,990 more per year; $33,060.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of New Mexico Main Campus than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of New Mexico Main Campus students is 17% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($13,140 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. UNM Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 60 points higher than at UNM (1030).
• Incoming UNM students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 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 New Mexico Main Campus 890/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; University of New Mexico Main Campus 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; UNM - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UNM (3.42).
• UNM has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 31.2% at UNM.

Cal State Fullerton vs. UNM Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• California State University Fullerton's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of New Mexico Main Campus's (44%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than UNM graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than UNM graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNM graduates ($155 vs. $201).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNM 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.