Cal State Fullerton vs. California State University-Northridge

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than California State University-Northridge based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 38,313 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Northridge is in Northridge, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; California State University Northridge 25:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. California State University-Northridge Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or California State University-Northridge? 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 California State University-Northridge ($7,064 vs. $7,536).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 27.7% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($13,804 vs. $19,080).
• California State University Fullerton is 0.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $12 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Cal State Fullerton than at California State University Northridge (about $12 more per year; $20,070.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at California State University Fullerton (83% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 14.2% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($12,825 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. California State University-Northridge Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or California State University-Northridge? 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 California State University-Northridge and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 80 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming Cal State Fullerton students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; California State University-Northridge - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at California State University-Northridge (3.38).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 18% at California State University-Northridge.

Cal State Fullerton vs. California State University-Northridge Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and California State University-Northridge? 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 Fullerton's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $804 lower median loan debt than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($14,196 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($146 vs. $155).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.