Cal State Fullerton vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; University of California Irvine 19:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or UCI? 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 UCI ($7,064 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 0.5% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($18,991 vs. $19,080).
• University of California Irvine is 110.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $8,252 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.7% higher at UCI than at California State University Fullerton (about $29,852 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at University of California Irvine (78% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 105.7% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($23,110 vs. $11,234).

Cal State Fullerton vs. UCI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 240 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming UCI students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; University of California Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UCI (3.75).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 19.2% at UCI.

Cal State Fullerton vs. UCI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of California Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than UCI graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCI graduates ($155 vs. $175).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 69%)

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.