Cal State Fullerton vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than San Diego State based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 41,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or San Diego 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 San Diego State ($7,064 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 17.2% lower than at San Diego State University ($19,080 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $1,258 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at San Diego State than at California State University Fullerton (about $1,258 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at San Diego State University (78% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 7.3% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($12,053 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or San Diego 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 San Diego State and Cal State Fullerton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 110 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Cal State Fullerton (3.77).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Cal State Fullerton vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and San Diego 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).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $349 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($155 vs. $158).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.