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California State University-Fullerton: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Fullerton, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
91%
53,559 applicants
Median SAT
950
Mid 50: 860–1070
In-state tuition
$7,470
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$6,555
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

California State University-Fullerton is a public university in Fullerton, California that admits about 91% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $6,555 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Communication and Media Studies, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 72% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 0.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

California State University-Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, California State University-Fullerton admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 91%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 950. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $6,555 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for California State University-Fullerton?

66% of enrolled students at California State University-Fullerton had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.434, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
1.4%
3.75–3.99
16.6%
3.50–3.74
23.0%
3.25–3.49
24.8%
3.00–3.24
20.1%
2.50–2.99
13.5%
Below 2.50
0.6%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Fullerton.
Calculate your child's GPA →

What does California State University-Fullerton weight in admissions?

California State University-Fullerton reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important3 factors
  • • Academic GPA
  • • Geographical residence
  • • State residency

SAT and ACT scores California State University-Fullerton typically admits

Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile860
50th percentile950
75th percentile1070
% submitting SAT4.3%
ACT Composite
25th percentile21.5
50th percentile25
75th percentile30
% submitting ACT0.2%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-blind: California State University-Fullerton does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
  • • Policy detail: Not considered

How much does California State University-Fullerton actually cost?

Published tuition is $7,470 for in-state students and $20,070 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,080 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $6,555 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 48% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$6,450
Out-of-state tuition$17,010
Room and board$19,842
Average net price (after aid)$6,555
Application fee$70 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for California State University-Fullerton

Regular admission
Regular deadline2025-11-30
Notification date2025-04-01
Reply deadline2025-05-01
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from California State University-Fullerton?

These predict outcomes at California State University-Fullerton better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
82.4%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
38.95%
finished on time
6-year graduation
71.83%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at California State University-Fullerton

The most popular undergraduate programs at California State University-Fullerton, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Communication and Media Studies. Across all programs, California State University-Fullerton confers roughly 6,071 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $70,718 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business Administration, Management and Operations2,233$70,718
Psychology, General890$56,770
Communication and Media Studies645$60,920
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness541$54,777
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods530—
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing432$116,259
Fine and Studio Arts422$46,226
Sociology378$52,832
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is California State University-Fullerton safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California State University-Fullerton disclosed 26 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 0.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
26
0.7 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
4
0.10 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
10
0.26 per 1,000
Burglary
7
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 38,546 enrolled.

What is campus life like at California State University-Fullerton?

About 3% of undergraduates at California State University-Fullerton live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 0% of men join a fraternity and 3% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
3%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
0%
of men
In sororities
3%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Fullerton.

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Common questions parents ask about California State University-Fullerton

What GPA do I need for California State University-Fullerton?

66% of enrolled students at California State University-Fullerton had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.434, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does California State University-Fullerton typically admit?

California State University-Fullerton is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.

How much does California State University-Fullerton actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at California State University-Fullerton after grants and scholarships is $6,555 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,470 and $20,070 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is California State University-Fullerton realistic for my child?

California State University-Fullerton admits 91% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $6,555 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Fullerton?

California State University-Fullerton accepts about 91% of applicants out of roughly 53,559 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is California State University-Fullerton test-optional?

California State University-Fullerton is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.

What is the graduation rate at California State University-Fullerton?

About 72% of students at California State University-Fullerton graduate within six years, and 39% finish in four years. 82% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does California State University-Fullerton look for in applicants?

California State University-Fullerton rates GPA, geographic residence and state residency as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is California State University-Fullerton a public or private school, and where is it located?

California State University-Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California.

What are the most popular majors at California State University-Fullerton?

The largest undergraduate majors at California State University-Fullerton by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Communication and Media Studies. The school awards about 6,071 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is California State University-Fullerton safe? What is its campus crime rate?

California State University-Fullerton reported 26 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 0.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at California State University-Fullerton?

At California State University-Fullerton, 3% of undergraduates live on campus, 0% of men are in fraternities, 3% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Fullerton, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers