Cal State Fullerton vs. WCU

Should I go to California State University Fullerton or West Chester University of Pennsylvania? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cal State Fullerton or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

San Diego State Cal State Long Beach San Jose State Temple Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania CSU UC Merced California State University-San Marcos Millersville University of Pennsylvania California State University-San Bernardino Kutztown University of Pennsylvania San Francisco State
California State University Fullerton vs. West Chester University of Pennsylvania comparison
California State University Fullerton West Chester University of Pennsylvania College 3 College 4
California State University Fullerton West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Cal State Fullerton WCU
Location Fullerton, CA West Chester, PA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 40,386 17,275
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #699 #496
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fullerton.edu wcupa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Cal State Fullerton WCU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $19,290
Room & Board $16,702 $14,228
Avg Net Price $7,925 $22,973
Avg Grant Aid $9,194 $5,443
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 64%

Admission

 Cal State Fullerton WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 48,748 14,778
Admitted 32,527 12,982
Acceptance Rate 66.7% 87.8%
Enrolled % 16.2% 23.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.77 3.43
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/23 23/30
SAT Range 1000/1180 1080/1260
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2023

Academics

 Cal State Fullerton WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 24:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)

Outcomes

 Cal State Fullerton WCU
Graduation Rate 50% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,000 $49,000
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $15,000 $23,500
Median Loan Payment $155 $242

Diversity

 Cal State Fullerton WCU
% Men 42% 39%
% Women 58% 61%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 22% 78%
% Black 2% 11%
% Hispanic 40% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 6% 0%
% Unknown Race 4% 0%

Students

 Cal State Fullerton WCU
% In-State 99% 87%
% Out-of-State 1% 12%

Campus

 Cal State Fullerton WCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California State University Fullerton is larger than than WCU based on total student enrollment (40,386 students vs. 17,275 students)

Cal State Fullerton vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Fullerton or WCU?

  • West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 34.4% more expensive to attend than Cal State Fullerton for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 9.5% higher at WCU than California State University Fullerton ($19,290.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Fullerton than WCU ($7,925 vs. $22,973)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 17.4% lower than costs at California State University Fullerton ($14,228 vs. $16,702)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California State University Fullerton than West Chester University of Pennsylvania (74% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fullerton students is 68.9% larger than aid received West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($9,194 vs. $5,443)

Cal State Fullerton vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Fullerton or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Cal State Fullerton .

  • The average SAT score at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1072) is 48 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1024)
  • Incoming WCU students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Cal State Fullerton (22)
  • Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at WCU (3.43)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (87.8%) than Cal State Fullerton (66.7%)

Cal State Fullerton vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cal State Fullerton or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and Cal State Fullerton.

  • The graduation rate at WCU is higher than California State University Fullerton (68% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates of California State University Fullerton and WCU have equivalent average earnings after ten years ($49,000 vs. $49,000)
  • California State University Fullerton students graduate with a $8,500 lower median federal student loan debt than WCU graduates. ($15,000 vs. $23,500)
  • Cal State Fullerton graduates are paying $87 less per month on federal student loans than WCU graduates. ($155 vs. $242)
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/