California Baptist University vs. Cal State Fullerton

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 11,902 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 36.4% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($12,140 vs. $19,080).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.4% higher at California Baptist University than at California State University Fullerton (about $21,158 more per year; $41,228 vs. $20,070).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at California State University Fullerton (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 138.1% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($26,743 vs. $11,234).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at California Baptist University than at Cal State Fullerton (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California Baptist University and Cal State Fullerton.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Cal State Fullerton average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.19 higher than at California Baptist University (3.58).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($15,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($155 vs. $279).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.