Cal State LA vs. FIDM LA

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Los Angeles is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1.

Cal State LA vs. FIDM LA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or FIDM LA? 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 Los Angeles than FIDM LA ($4,460 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Los Angeles are 10.8% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($19,696 vs. $22,086).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is 388.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $27,840 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.1% higher at FIDM LA than at California State University Los Angeles (about $15,240 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students is 0.1% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($13,834 vs. $13,824).

Cal State LA vs. FIDM LA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or FIDM LA? 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 FIDM LA and Cal State LA.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.

Cal State LA vs. FIDM LA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and FIDM LA? 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).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $80 lower median loan debt than FIDM LA graduates ($12,920 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FIDM LA graduates ($133 vs. $134).
• More FIDM LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

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.