Cal State Fullerton vs. Georgia State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than Georgia State based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 34,944 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State Fullerton vs. Georgia State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Georgia State? 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 Georgia State ($7,064 vs. $16,854).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia State University are 29.8% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($13,392 vs. $19,080).
• Georgia State University is 16% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $1,194 more per year; $8,664.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at Georgia State than at California State University Fullerton (about $4,770 more per year; $24,840.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia State University than at California State University Fullerton (94% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Georgia State University students is 7.3% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($12,052 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Georgia State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fullerton (1090) is 30 points higher than at Georgia State (1060).
• Incoming Georgia State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Georgia State University 940/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Georgia State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; Georgia State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Georgia State Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Georgia State (3.54).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Georgia State (55.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 22.7% at Georgia State.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Georgia State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Georgia State? 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 Georgia State University's (47%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Georgia State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $8,699 lower median loan debt than Georgia State graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,699).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia State graduates ($155 vs. $245).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 45%)

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.