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California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA·Public·36,956 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families who need the lowest possible cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 36,956 students.

87%
Accept
36,956
Students
$5,646
Net Price
69%
Grad Rate
$51,800
Earnings
10 yr
$12,000
Debt

About This School

California State University-Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California with approximately 36,956 undergraduate students enrolled. California State University-Fullerton has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 87%. The average net price after financial aid is $5,646 per year. The graduation rate is 69%, and the typical graduate earns $51,800 within 10 years of enrollment.

California State University, Fullerton is a public research university in Fullerton, California, United States. With a total enrollment of more than 41,000, it has the largest student body of the California State University (CSU) system, and its graduate student body of more than 5,000 is one of the largest in the CSU and in all of California. As of fall 2016, the school had 2,083 faculty, of whom 782 were on the tenure track. The university offers 109 degree programs: 55 undergraduate degrees and 54 graduate degrees, including 3 doctoral programs.

This is a strong option for cost-conscious students — at just $5,646/year after aid and a median debt of only $12,000 at graduation, it's one of the better financial values in Southern California. The 69% graduation rate is worth watching, meaning roughly 3 in 10 students don't finish, so it's worth asking yourself honestly whether you'll stay engaged at a large commuter-heavy campus of nearly 37,000 undergrads. Median earnings of $51,800 after 10 years are modest but reasonable given the low cost of attendance, making this a sensible fit for students who want an affordable degree in the LA area without taking on heavy debt.

Founded
1957
Setting
Large suburb

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing23%
Psychology11%
Health Professions9%
Communications9%
Social Sciences7%
Visual & Performing Arts7%
Education4%
Computer Science4%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

James CameronKevin CostnerGwen StefaniAdam LambertTracy Caldwell DysonMichael ShermerKirsten VangsnessTim PowersEva MarieKaren BardsleyDanielle FishelBruce Bowen

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$7,073
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,953
Avg Net Price
$5,646
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants47%
Median debt at graduation$12,000

Full Cost

Cost of attendance$16,767

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
69%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
85%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,800
after enrollment
Median Debt
$12,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$12,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$38,500
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,800
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 4.3x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White14%
Black2%
Hispanic/Latino54%
Asian22%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (36,956 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

California State University-Fullerton

800 N. State College Blvd.

Fullerton, CA 92832-3599

View on Google Maps →

Official Links

Other Schools in California

Browse all California schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Official School Resources
Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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