UCSC vs. Cal State Fullerton vs. Cal State Long Beach

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (43,662 students vs. 19,938 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); California State University Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

UCSC vs. Cal State Fullerton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Cal State Fullerton? 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 UCSC ($7,064 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fullerton are 4.4% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($19,080 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 114.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $8,535 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.1% higher at UCSC than at California State University Fullerton (about $30,135 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fullerton than at University of California Santa Cruz (78% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 102.7% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($22,774 vs. $11,234).

UCSC vs. Cal State Fullerton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Cal State Fullerton? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cal State Fullerton and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 170 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Cal State Fullerton - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

UCSC vs. Cal State Fullerton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Cal State Fullerton? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than California State University Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $4,959 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($155 vs. $206).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.