Cal State Fullerton vs. Life Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, CA with Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Fullerton is larger than Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 621 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Life Pacific University is in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Life Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Life Pacific University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 36.1% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($12,190 vs. $19,080).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University Fullerton (about $2,048 more per year; $22,118 vs. $20,070).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University Fullerton (100% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 21.9% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($13,696 vs. $11,234).

Admissions details

• Incoming Cal State Fullerton students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 20) as students at Life Pacific University (20).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Cal State Fullerton and Life Pacific University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Life Pacific University May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Cal State Fullerton average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.86 higher than at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 33.8% at Life Pacific University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $5,530 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($155 vs. $212).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 54%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.