California State University-Fullerton logoCalifornia State University-Fullerton

    California State University-Fullerton

    Fullerton, CA · West

    Acceptance rate
    90.5%
    Cost after aid
    $6,555
    Graduation rate
    70%

    What California State University-Fullerton says matters

    How California State University-Fullerton rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.

    Acceptance rate
    91%
    48,482 of 53,559
    Yield
    14%
    6,886 enrolled
    SAT mid-50
    860-1070
    CDS year
    2024-25

    Acceptance rate by gender

    Men
    89%19,884 of 22,405
    Women
    92%28,492 of 31,033

    The full Common Data Set

    Every figure California State University-Fullerton published for 2024-25, section by section.

    First-Time, First-Year Admission68

    Applications

    Total first-time, first-year men who applied
    22,405
    Total first-time, first-year women who applied
    31,033
    Total first-time, first-year another gender who applied
    121
    Total first-time, first-year unknown gender who applied
    0
    Total first-time, first-year men who were admitted
    19,884
    Total first-time, first-year women who were admitted
    28,492
    Total first-time, first-year another gender who were admitted
    106
    Total first-time, first-year unknown gender who were admitted
    0
    Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled
    2,908
    Total part-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled
    139
    Total full-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled
    3,669
    Total part-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled
    153
    Total full-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled
    17
    Total part-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled
    0
    Total full-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled
    0
    Total part-time, first-time, first-year unknown gender who enrolled
    0
    Total first-time, first-year students who applied
    53,559
    Total first-time, first-year students who were admitted
    48,482
    Total first-time, first-year students who enrolled
    6,886
    Total first-time, first-year who applied
    50,967
    Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
    46,434
    Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
    6,745
    Total first-time, first-year who applied
    2,131
    Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
    1,804
    Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
    58
    Total first-time, first-year who applied
    377
    Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
    161
    Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
    21
    Total first-time, first-year who applied
    84
    Total first-time, first-year who were admitted
    83
    Total first-time, first-year who enrolled
    62

    Wait List

    Do you have a policy of placing students on a waiting list?
    1
    Do you release that information to school counselors?
    Very Important

    Admissions Requirements

    High school diploma or equivalent is not required
    v

    Basis for Selection

    Application Essay
    25th Percentile
    Recommendation(s)
    860
    Interview
    21.5
    Extracurricular activities
    19.5
    Talent/ability
    19
    Character/personal qualities
    0
    First generation
    22
    Alumni/ae relation
    21
    Volunteer work
    SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
    Work experience
    0.007
    Level of applicant’s interest
    0.127

    Entrance Exams

    SAT or ACT
    ACT Composite
    ACT Only
    0.231
    SAT Only
    0.385

    First-time, first-year Profile

    Submitting SAT Scores
    0.043
    Submitting ACT Scores
    0.002
    Submitting SAT Scores
    299
    Submitting ACT Scores
    13
    SAT Composite: 25th Percentile
    860
    SAT Composite: 50th Percentile
    950
    SAT Composite: 75th Percentile
    1,070
    SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 25th Percentile
    450
    SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 50th Percentile
    490
    SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 75th Percentile
    550
    SAT Math: 25th Percentile
    410
    SAT Math: 50th Percentile
    470
    SAT Math: 75th Percentile
    530
    ACT Composite: 25th Percentile
    21.5%
    ACT Composite: 50th Percentile
    25%
    ACT Composite: 75th Percentile
    30%
    ACT Math: 25th Percentile
    No
    ACT Math: 50th Percentile
    2025-04-01 00:00:00
    ACT English: 75th Percentile
    2025-05-01 00:00:00
    ACT Writing: 25th Percentile
    2%
    Transfer Admission3

    Fall Applicants

    If yes, may transfer students earn advanced standing credit by transferring credits earned from course work completed at other colleges/universities?
    Applicants
    Unknown
    Required of All

    Application for Admission

    Spring
    Priority Date
    Student Life4

    Percent Participating

    Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator)
    0.1%
    Percent of men who join fraternities
    18%
    Percent of women who join sororities
    18%

    Activities Offered

    Concert band
    Marine Option (for Naval ROTC)
    Annual Expenses8

    Private Tuition

    Tuition
    1428
    Tuition
    N/A

    All Institutions Expenses

    Required Fees:
    Residents
    Food and housing (on-campus):
    1030
    Housing Only (on-campus):
    Not Applicable
    Food Only (on-campus meal plan):
    Not Applicable
    Required Fees:
    2896

    Comprehensive Expenses

    Other:
    444
    Financial Aid23

    Reporting Year

    2024-2025
    Number of Enrolled Students Awarded Aid
    2023-2024 Final
    Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2024 cohort)

    Methodology

    Federal methodology (FM)
    Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
    Institutional methodology (IM)
    Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
    Both FM and IM
    On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)

    Need-based Aid Awarded

    Total Scholarships/Grants
    Number of Enrolled Students Awarded Non-need-based Scholarships and Grants
    Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans)
    Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n
    Federal Work-Study
    Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant
    State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.)
    Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p
    Parent Loans
    Note: These are the graduates and loan types to include and exclude in order to fill out CDS H4 and H5.
    Tuition Waivers Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.
    Include:
    Athletic Awards
    • 2024 undergraduate class: all students who started at your institution as first-time students and received a bachelor's degree between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.

    Non-need-based Aid Awarded

    Federal
    • Students who transferred in.
    State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located
    • Money borrowed at other institutions.
    Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below).
    • Parent loans
    Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college
    • Students who did not graduate or who graduated with another degree or certificate (but no bachelor’s degree).

    Students Awarded Aid

    I. On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
    Deadline for filing required financial aid forms:
    J. The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans)
    No deadline for filing required forms (applications processed on a rolling basis)
    B. Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid
    b) Students notified on a rolling basis:
    C. Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need
    Yes
    D. Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid
    No
    E. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid
    If yes, starting date:
    F. Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid
    2025-03-21 00:00:00
    Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred1

    Diploma/Certificates

    Public administration and social services
    0
    Enrollment And Persistence37

    Institutional Enrollment

    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: men
    13,838
    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender
    Men
    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: unknown
    139
    Other first-year, degree-seeking: men
    2,831
    Other first-year, degree-seeking: women
    3,112
    Other first-year, degree-seeking: another gender
    64
    Other first-year, degree-seeking: unknown
    3,176
    All other degree-seeking: men
    Men
    All other degree-seeking: women
    17,014
    Total degree-seeking: men
    398
    Total degree-seeking: another gender
    772
    All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses: men
    376
    All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses: women
    747
    All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses: another gender
    1
    All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses: unknown
    1,124
    Total undergraduate Full-Time Students: men
    Men
    Total undergraduate Full-Time Students: women
    1,896
    Total undergraduate Full-Time Students: unknown
    Men
    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: men
    38,597
    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: women
    5,065
    Degree-seeking, first-time first-year students: another gender
    43,662
    Total undergraduate students: women
    1,693
    Total undergraduate students: unknown
    39
    All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: women
    2,078
    All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: another gender
    0
    All other graduates enrolled in credit courses: unknown
    2,078
    Degree-seeking, first-time: men
    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
    Degree-seeking, first-time: another gender
    2,253
    Degree-seeking, first-time: unknown
    0
    All other degree-seeking: men
    716
    All other degree-seeking: women
    581
    All other degree-seeking: another gender
    207
    All other degree-seeking: unknown
    1,504

    All

    Total graduate Full-Time Students: men
    518
    Total graduate Full-Time Students: women
    192
    Total graduate Full-Time Students: another gender
    1,427
    Total graduate Full-Time Students: unknown
    0.687
    Source: California State University-Fullerton's Common Data Set 2024-25

    About California State University-Fullerton

    California State University-Fullerton is a large public university in Fullerton, CA, in a city setting.

    What California State University-Fullerton looks for

    California State University-Fullerton admits the majority of applicants who meet its baseline academic profile. For most students applying here, the work is in writing applications that reflect real fit rather than treating the application as a checklist. Demonstrated interest matters more here than at the most selective schools. Visiting, attending an info session, and asking real questions of admissions all move the needle.

    Frequently asked

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

      California State University-Fullerton admits roughly 91% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.

    • What does California State University-Fullerton actually cost after financial aid?

      Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $6,555 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.

    • Is California State University-Fullerton a reach, match, or safety for me?

      Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat California State University-Fullerton as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

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