Fullerton College vs. Smith Chason College

Comparable Facts

Compare Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA with Smith Chason College in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fullerton College is larger than Smith Chason College based on total student enrollment (19,521 students vs. 2,447 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fullerton College is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Smith Chason College is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fullerton College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Smith Chason College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fullerton College 25:1; Smith Chason College 21:1.

Fullerton College vs. Smith Chason College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fullerton College or Smith Chason College? 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 Fullerton College than Smith Chason College ($8,306 vs. $32,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Fullerton College and Smith Chason College ($22,086).
• Smith Chason College is 1,555.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fullerton College (about $17,890 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $1,150.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.8% higher at Smith Chason College than at Fullerton College (about $6,661 more per year; $19,040.00 vs. $12,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fullerton College than at Smith Chason College (87% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Smith Chason College students is 27% larger than aid received by Fullerton College students ($6,731 vs. $5,301).

Fullerton College vs. Smith Chason College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fullerton College or Smith Chason College? 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 Smith Chason College and Fullerton College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fullerton College - Open admission; Smith Chason College - Open admission.

Fullerton College vs. Smith Chason College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fullerton College and Smith Chason College? 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).

• Graduates from Smith Chason College earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than Fullerton College graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Smith Chason College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fullerton College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 39%)

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.