Cal State Fullerton vs. UNLV

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than UNLV based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 32,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State Fullerton vs. UNLV Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or UNLV? 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 UNLV ($7,064 vs. $11,553).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 33.8% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($12,628 vs. $19,080).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas is 30.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $2,278 more per year; $9,748.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.6% higher at UNLV than at California State University Fullerton (about $7,341 more per year; $27,411.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than at California State University Fullerton (90% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fullerton students is 45.6% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students ($11,234 vs. $7,717).

Cal State Fullerton vs. UNLV Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nevada Las Vegas (1130) is 40 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming UNLV students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 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 Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Test-free; UNLV - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; UNLV Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UNLV (3.4).
• UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 36.2% at UNLV.

Cal State Fullerton vs. UNLV Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and UNLV? 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 University of Nevada Las Vegas's (40%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than UNLV graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $4,018 lower median loan debt than UNLV graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,018).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNLV graduates ($155 vs. $196).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 52%)

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.