Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State Long Beach

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than Cal State Long Beach based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 42,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State Long Beach Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Cal State Long Beach? 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 Cal State Long Beach ($7,064 vs. $10,607).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 18.2% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($15,612 vs. $19,080).
• California State University Fullerton is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $120 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Cal State Fullerton than at California State University Long Beach (about $120 more per year; $20,070.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at California State University Long Beach (78% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Long Beach students is 5% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($11,795 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State Long Beach Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 40 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; California State University Long Beach 1020/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; California State University Long Beach 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Cal State Long Beach - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State Long Beach Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Cal State Long Beach? 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).

• California State University Long Beach's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach and Cal State Fullerton graduates have the same median loan debt ($15,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, California State University Long Beach and Cal State Fullerton graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($155 vs. $155).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.