Cal State Fullerton vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than California State University-San Marcos based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 16,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or California State University-San Marcos? 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-San Marcos ($7,064 vs. $10,241).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 25.8% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($14,152 vs. $19,080).
• California State University San Marcos is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $612 more per year; $8,082.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at California State University Fullerton (about $612 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at California State University San Marcos (78% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fullerton students is 1% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($11,234 vs. $11,123).

Cal State Fullerton vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 50 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Cal State Fullerton students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Cal State Fullerton vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and California State University-San Marcos? 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 San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $100 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $2,995 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($155 vs. $186).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Marcos students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.