California State University-Fullerton

California State University-Fullerton maintains an open access admission policy with an 86.7% acceptance rate, meaning roughly 6 in 7 applicants receive admission offers. This places the university well within the Open Access tier, which encompasses institutions admitting more than 75% of applicants.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that Cal State Fullerton is slightly more selective than typical comparable institutions, though still maintaining broad accessibility. For prospective students, this selectivity level means that meeting basic admission requirements typically results in acceptance, making the university an accessible option for students seeking quality higher education.

The 86.7% acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to serve diverse student populations, including significant shares of first-generation and Pell-eligible students. Students should view Cal State Fullerton as a strong match or safety school option, particularly those meeting California State University system requirements.

This accessibility allows the university to enroll students from varied academic backgrounds while still maintaining quality outcomes, as evidenced by strong post-graduation earnings and economic mobility performance. Prospective applicants can approach their applications with confidence, focusing on demonstrating their readiness for college-level work rather than competing for limited admission slots.

The combination of accessibility and outcomes makes Cal State Fullerton particularly attractive for students seeking value and mobility potential.

California State University-Fullerton delivers exceptional affordability with a published cost of attendance of $16,767 annually, consisting of $7,073 in-state tuition, room and board costs not separately reported in available data, and $965 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $5,646 after financial aid, representing substantial savings of $11,121 compared to the sticker price.

This net price of $5,646 falls dramatically below the peer median of $15,590, providing nearly $10,000 in annual savings compared to similar institutions. The university's affordability index ranks at the 95.1st percentile with excellent tier designation, reflecting top-tier performance in making higher education financially accessible.

Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $18,953, though financial aid helps reduce actual costs. The combination of moderate sticker prices and substantial financial aid creates an environment where higher education remains accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds, supporting the university's role as a Mobility Engine institution serving 47.1% Pell-eligible students.

Cal State Fullerton graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $48,558 six years after enrollment to $56,954 at eight years and $62,951 at ten years, representing robust 29.6% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 9,525 graduates at six years, 9,478 at eight years, and 9,406 at ten years, providing high confidence in the reported figures across diverse academic programs.

The university generates $7,382 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing it in the 81st percentile for earnings uplift performance. Low-income graduates earn $50,200, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and supporting the institution's Mobility Engine designation.

Earnings distribution spans from $39,060 at the 25th percentile to $89,304 at the 75th percentile, reflecting meaningful variation across programs and career trajectories while maintaining consistently strong outcomes. Approximately 25.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.

Cal State Fullerton offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive ranking analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing leads with exceptional outcomes, ranking #20 nationally and #12 in California, producing 295 graduates with median earnings of $105,346 and a value score of 93.1.

Computer Science ranks #88 nationally and #23 in California, graduating 264 students with median earnings of $89,630. Civil Engineering ranks #20 nationally and #16 in California, with 113 graduates earning $83,693 and achieving a strong value score of 88.4.

Business Administration and Management represents the university's largest program, graduating 2,374 students annually with median earnings of $60,980 and ranking #39 nationally and #11 in California. Communication and Media Studies ranks #30 nationally and #11 in California, graduating 730 students with earnings of $51,693.

Psychology ranks #42 nationally and #8 in California, serving 723 graduates with median earnings of $46,506 and demonstrating strong value with a score of 88.2.