Cal State Fullerton vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than Washington State based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 25,685 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fullerton is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fullerton 26:1; Washington State University 15:1.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or Washington 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 Washington State ($7,064 vs. $18,171).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 28.6% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($13,622 vs. $19,080).
• Washington State University is 79.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $5,921 more per year; $13,391.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.2% higher at Washington State than at California State University Fullerton (about $9,880 more per year; $29,950.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington State University than at California State University Fullerton (83% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fullerton students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Washington State University students ($11,234 vs. $10,886).

Cal State Fullerton vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington State University (1120) is 30 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming Washington State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 1000/1180; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fullerton 18/23; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Fullerton - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Washington State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Washington State (3.5).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Washington State (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

Cal State Fullerton vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Fullerton and Washington 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).

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $5,429 lower median loan debt than Washington State graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,429).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Washington State graduates ($155 vs. $211).
• More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.