CSU vs. Cal State Fullerton

California State University Chico and California State University Fullerton side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Chico
California State University Fullerton

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cal State Fullerton (90.5% admitted vs 92.7%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal State Fullerton. Average net price is $7,064 vs $14,630 at CSU.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs Cal State Fullerton 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs Cal State Fullerton $49,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

California State University Chico California State University Fullerton
Acceptance rate
Cal State Fullerton more selective
CSU92.7%
Cal State Fullerton90.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cal State Fullerton higher
CSU970-1170
Cal State Fullerton1000-1180
Average net price
Cal State Fullerton $7,566 less
CSU$14,630
Cal State Fullerton$7,064
In-state tuition
Cal State Fullerton $1,002 less
CSU$8,472
Cal State Fullerton$7,470
Out-of-state tuition
Cal State Fullerton $1,002 less
CSU$21,072
Cal State Fullerton$20,070
Graduation rate
CSU +9 pts
CSU59%
Cal State Fullerton50%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$3,400
CSU$52,400
Cal State Fullerton$49,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at CSU and Cal State Fullerton with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at CSU Check my chances at Cal State Fullerton
  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • Cal State Fullerton 53,559
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • Cal State Fullerton 48,482
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • Cal State Fullerton 90.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • Cal State Fullerton 14.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • Cal State Fullerton 1090
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • Cal State Fullerton 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • Cal State Fullerton 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • Cal State Fullerton A-
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Cal State Fullerton Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • Cal State Fullerton
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • Cal State Fullerton 1000-1180
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • Cal State Fullerton 18-23
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • Cal State Fullerton Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • Cal State Fullerton $7,470
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • Cal State Fullerton $20,070
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • Cal State Fullerton $19,080
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • Cal State Fullerton $7,064
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • Cal State Fullerton $11,234
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • Cal State Fullerton 78%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • Cal State Fullerton 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • Cal State Fullerton $49,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • Cal State Fullerton 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • Cal State Fullerton $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • Cal State Fullerton $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • Cal State Fullerton 26:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Cal State Fullerton
    • Business (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • Cal State Fullerton Fullerton, CA
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • Cal State Fullerton Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • Cal State Fullerton 43,662
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • Cal State Fullerton Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • Cal State Fullerton #799

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
  • California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 13.5% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($16,500 vs. $19,080).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at CSU than at California State University Fullerton (about $1,002 more per year; $21,072 vs. $20,070).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at California State University Chico (78% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 2.4% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($11,509 vs. $11,234).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at CSU than at Cal State Fullerton (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and Cal State Fullerton.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cal State Fullerton average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.4 higher than at CSU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($155 vs. $175).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 69%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

California State University Chico
California State University Fullerton
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges