Cal State Fullerton vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Cal State Fullerton based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or USC? 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 USC ($7,064 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 4.3% lower than at University of Southern California ($19,080 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 865.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $64,627 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 259.2% higher at USC than at California State University Fullerton (about $52,027 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at University of Southern California (78% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 317.5% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($46,897 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 410 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming USC students have a 13 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Cal State Fullerton (3.77).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 43.3% at USC.

Cal State Fullerton vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and USC? 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 Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $36,500 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $7,375 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($15,000 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($155 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.