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California State University-Fullerton

Cal State Fullerton

Fullerton, California 92832-3599

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusSuburbanSports culture

Known for business — major research university

California State University-Fullerton is a public institution in Fullerton with particular strength in business and psychology.

A large campus of 37K undergraduates with a 22:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $62,951 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $5,646.

Established
1957
Motto
Vox Veritas Vita
Mascot
Tuffy the Titan
Type
Public research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

134 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

87%Acceptance
SAT Avg
36,956Students
22:1Student:Faculty
69%Grad Rate
$62,951Earnings 10yr
$5,646Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate86.7%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$7,073
Tuition (out-of-state)$18,953
Room & Board$18,348
Books & Supplies$965
Total Cost of Attendance$16,767
Average Net Price$5,646
Median Debt at Graduation$13,750
Monthly Payment (10yr)$146

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$2,675
$30–48K$3,466
$48–75K$5,438
$75–110K$9,101
$110K+$14,831

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

78.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

262

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

61

Burglary

12

Aggravated Assault

8

Robbery

20

Motor Vehicle Theft

30

Sex Offenses

2

Arson

74

Drug Arrests

55

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (133)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

85%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
36,956
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
49%
Pell Grant Recipients
47%

Race & Ethnicity

White 14%
Black 2%
Hispanic 54%
Asian 22%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate69.2%
Freshman Retention85.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$48,558
10 Years$62,951

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#136
vs 2024
Forbes
#100
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#60
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

BasketballGymnasticsFencingLacrosseRugbySoccerVolleyball

History & Fun Facts

  • History Founding In 1957, Orange County State College became the 12th state college in California to be authorized by the state legislature as a degree-granting institution.
  • Classes began with 452 students in September 1959.
  • The name of the school was changed to Orange State College in July 1962.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

146Very High

Estimated from CA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Los Angelespop. 3.9M
24 mi(42 min)
San Diegopop. 1.4M
91 mi(158 min)
Phoenixpop. 1.6M
335 mi(581 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

LAX Los Angeles30 mi
SAN San Diego89 mi
LAS Las Vegas217 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2578 mi · ~74h 29m drive
New York, NY2432 mi · ~70h 15m drive
Hartford, CT2497 mi · ~72h 8m drive
Providence, RI2562 mi · ~74h 1m drive
Albany, NY2440 mi · ~70h 29m drive
Syracuse, NY2319 mi · ~67h drive
Rochester, NY2246 mi · ~64h 53m drive
Buffalo, NY2181 mi · ~63h drive
Philadelphia, PA2374 mi · ~68h 35m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2118 mi · ~61h 11m drive
Harrisburg, PA2282 mi · ~65h 55m drive
Newark, NJ2423 mi · ~70h drive
Washington, DC2279 mi · ~65h 50m drive
Baltimore, MD2300 mi · ~66h 27m drive
Atlanta, GA1914 mi · ~55h 18m drive
Charlotte, NC2098 mi · ~60h 37m drive
Raleigh, NC2215 mi · ~63h 59m drive
Miami, FL2314 mi · ~66h 51m drive
Orlando, FL2177 mi · ~62h 53m drive
Tampa, FL2129 mi · ~61h 30m drive
Nashville, TN1759 mi · ~50h 49m drive
New Orleans, LA1649 mi · ~47h 38m drive
Richmond, VA2266 mi · ~65h 28m drive
Chicago, IL1730 mi · ~49h 59m drive
Detroit, MI1967 mi · ~56h 49m drive
Minneapolis, MN1512 mi · ~43h 41m drive
St. Louis, MO1571 mi · ~45h 23m drive
Kansas City, MO1340 mi · ~38h 43m drive
Indianapolis, IN1791 mi · ~51h 44m drive
Columbus, OH1959 mi · ~56h 36m drive
Cleveland, OH2031 mi · ~58h 40m drive
Milwaukee, WI1730 mi · ~49h 59m drive
Dallas, TX1218 mi · ~35h 11m drive
Houston, TX1349 mi · ~38h 58m drive
Austin, TX1203 mi · ~34h 45m drive
San Antonio, TX1179 mi · ~34h 4m drive
Los Angeles, CA24 mi · ~42 min drive
San Francisco, CA370 mi · ~10h 41m drive
San Diego, CA91 mi · ~2h 38m drive
Seattle, WA976 mi · ~28h 12m drive
Portland, OR843 mi · ~24h 21m drive
Denver, CO819 mi · ~23h 40m drive
Phoenix, AZ335 mi · ~9h 41m drive
Salt Lake City, UT578 mi · ~16h 42m drive
Honolulu, HI2578 mi · ~74h 29m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

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