Cal State Fullerton vs. FIDM LA

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. FIDM LA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or FIDM LA? 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 FIDM LA ($7,064 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 13.6% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($19,080 vs. $22,086).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is 368.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $27,530 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.4% higher at FIDM LA than at California State University Fullerton (about $14,930 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton as at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (78% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students is 23.1% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($13,834 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. FIDM LA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or FIDM LA? 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 FIDM LA and Cal State Fullerton.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.

Cal State Fullerton vs. FIDM LA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and FIDM LA? 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).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($13,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($134 vs. $155).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIDM LA students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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.