California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a public research university located in Fullerton, California, and the largest campus of the CSU system with approximately 38,600 undergraduate students. Accessible admissions include an acceptance rate of 86.7. The most sought-after majors are Business, Communications, and Education. CSUF's graduation rate is 69%, and graduates have a median income of ~$62,951 after ten years from starting, with high regional career networks in teaching and business.
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a public research university in Irvine, California, and is known worldwide as an R1 institution. It has approximately 30,200 undergraduate students. Admissions are extremely competitive with an acceptance rate of 8.7%. The most popular majors are Computer Science, Biology, and Social Sciences. UCI has a graduation rate of 87%, and the alumni say that the early-career salary is ~$72,700, with excellent outcomes in tech, biotech, and research-intensive fields.
| California State University Fullerton | University of California | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5 Out of 10 | 5.5 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 1377 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 133 US News 2024 # 1067 US News 2024 | # 97 Times Higher Education 2026 # 293 QS World University 2026 # 53 Financial Times 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -106 PG Programs -65 | UG Programs -54 PG Programs -50 Doctorate Programs -1 |
| Acceptance Rate | 86.7 % | 38.7 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-5.5 SAT-1020 TOEFL-61 | GMAT-630 IELTS-7 SAT-1510 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 16399 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19327 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 33068 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 42185 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 30586 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16677 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Masters in Science: $140,000 Masters of Arts: $109,000 Bachelor of Science: $105,000 Bachelor of Arts: $65,000 | Graduate Employability- #301-500 (QS 2020); Average salary- 76,522 USD; Top recruiters- Northrop Grumman Corporation, Kaiser Permanente, Medtronic Inc., The Boeing Company, Walt Disney Company; Highest paying degrees- MBA (160,000 USD), Masters in Science (120,000 USD), Bachelor of Science (100,000 USD), PhD (90,000 USD), Bachelor of Arts (78,000 USD). |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts, Submit LORs, Submit English language proficiency, Check program specific requirements | Academic transcripts, 3 LORs, SOPs/ Essays/ Personal Statement, Resume, Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE); Proof of English language proficiency, Additional requirements (work experience, additional information forms, research samples, portfolios, video essays, etc.) |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 9 reviews | 8.3/10 Read 7 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 65/90TOEFL - 88/120 | GMAT - 670/800IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 80/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -25007 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) Apr 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Nov 1, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Jan 15, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Mar 1, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | California State University Fullerton | University of California |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1957 | 1965 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 23:1 | 18:1 |
| Male:Female | 44% Male, 56% Female | 47% Male, 53% Female |
| Location Facts | The campus is on the site of former citrus groves in northeast Fullerton. It is bordered on the east by the Orange Freeway, on the west by State College Boulevard, on the north by Yorba Linda Boulevard, and on the south by Nutwood Avenue. | circular-shaped campus centred around Aldrich Park located in southern Orange County; between Los Angeles and San Diego counties; just five miles from Southern California’s sunny shores |
| Library | Pollak Library offers eBooks, streaming video, a wide range of databases, as well as Interlibrary Loan service for anything that it does not owns. | 350,000 square feet of library service; Over 1.6 million annual visits; 3.7 million virtual visits; Over 4 million volumes, 1.6 million ebooks, 216,501 journals & serials, 102,868 government documents, 113,300 audio/visual materials, 1 million original documents |
| Campus Life | our top priority at college is academic success, and you’ll find supportive staff, educational resources and wellness offerings at Cal State Fullerton to help you achieve that. Outside of the classroom, you’ll enjoy a choice of more than 375 clubs and organizations, study abroad, Division I sports, cultural pursuits and much more! | 550 clubs and organizations; 200+ student performances and exhibitions by Claire Trevor School of the Arts every year; 18 intercollegiate athletic teams; UC Irvine Medical Center (Orange County's only university hospital and Level I trauma center); UCI Conference Center; over 20 dining locations (cafes, restaurants, food courts, convenience stores, etc.); The Hill (online UCI store). |
| Hostel | #Off campus (not with family) - $14502 #On campus - $15642 #Off campus (with family) - $2924 | #Room & Board - $16677 |
| Famous Alumni | Actor and filmmaker, Kevin Costner Astronaut ,Tracy Caldwell Dyson Speaker of the California State Assembly and former professor, Anthony Rendon Actor, David Castañeda | 180,000 living alumni; Michael Chabon (novelist and screenwriter); David Benioff (Game of Thrones co-creator); Jon Lovitz (Comedian); Yusef Komunyakaa (American poet); Tyler Hoechlin (American actor); Bob Gunton (American character actor); Brady Anderson (Baseball player); Greg Louganis (American diver); Ami Bera (U.S. Representative); Phil Tippett (American movie director); Keston Hiura (Baseball second baseman). |
| City Life | Located in North Orange County, Fullerton is approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and less than 20 minutes away from Disneyland. Fullerton has over 280+ days of sunshine and a diverse blend of amenities with abundant cultural, educational and entertainment resources. Boasting a population of approximately 140,000 citizens, Fullerton is a community with a strong sense of tradition, and takes pride in providing an atmosphere that allows both for preservation of its historic past and opportunities to meet the challenges of the future. Fullerton’s offerings are not just confined to the Downtown. Other popular destinations are the award-winning Fullerton Museum Center, home of the Leo Fender Gallery; the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, which offers fine art exhibitions; the Fullerton Arboretum, on campus of California State University at Fullerton, which presents a stunning array of plant and garden ideas, plus is home to Heritage House, a beautifully restored Victorian residence; two championship golf courses and a driving range; an Olympic-sized swim complex; and more than 40 parks, plus recreation and equestrian trails. | Irvine- master-planned city in Orange County & safest cities in the nation; home to ? of Fortune 500 companies offices; Famous attractions: Irvine Civic Center, San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, Balloon ride at Orange County Great Park, "Giant Wheel" at Irvine Spectrum Center, Newport Beach, William R. Mason Regional Park, Irvine Farmers Market, Orange County Soccer Club, UCI Arboretum; Unemployment rate: 2.9% (Jan 2020). |
| Weather |
California State University – Fullerton vs University of California – Irvine
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a world-ranked research university, positioned #293 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is particularly strong in STEM subjects, with Times Higher Education ranking it approximately 41st in engineering and 75th in computer science globally. UCI is also widely recognized for its advanced research, innovation, and global standing. California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), on the other hand, does not possess a similar global ranking but houses the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics, the largest accredited business school in the state of California. CSUF boasts excellent programs in business, communications, and education as a source of students interested in local business connections and teaching professions. Generally, UCI is strong in research and international reputation, whereas CSUF has professional applied areas and regional business involvement.
General Information
CSUF, established in 1957, is a CSU system institution with 43,662 students (38,597 undergraduates, 5,065 graduate) on a 236-acre suburban Fullerton campus. UCI, founded in 1965, is a UC system research campus with 37,297 students (30,204 undergrads, 7,093 graduate) on 1,582 acres in Irvine. CSUF is predominantly Hispanic (~52%) and 21% Asian, compared to UCI being 35% Asian and 24% Hispanic. CSUF prioritizes access and regional involvement, whereas UCI provides a global, research-oriented setting.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
CSUF's acceptance rate is 86.7%, being more open to applicants, with admissions affected in most majors. The admit average GPA is approximately 3.7. UCI, with a 38.7% acceptance rate, accepts students with extremely competitive GPAs (median weighted ~4.18). Both universities are test-blind and need a $70 application fee, with a November 30, 2025 deadline. CSUF offers greater access, whereas UCI shows UC-level selectivity.
Location Facts
CSUF’s Fullerton campus offers a suburban, family-friendly setting near Anaheim and Orange County’s business hubs, with affordable living compared to nearby cities. UCI’s Irvine location is a master-planned, safe community close to beaches, 45 miles from Los Angeles, and adjacent to major tech and biotech companies. CSUF provides strong community integration, while UCI’s location supports industry partnerships and professional networking.
Cost & Financial Aid
CSUF annual housing expenses are $16,000–$18,348, and off-campus rents are $1,000–$1,500/month. UCI has higher housing at $17,000–$20,000 annually, with off-campus averages of $1,200–$1,800/month. CSUF grants aid to ~82% of students (avg. $10,445), and UCI grants to ~64% (avg. $19,851). Though more expensive, UCI larger aid packages may cut into the net price difference, though CSUF is still overall more economical.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UCI graduates have a median early-career salary of ~$72,700, and approximately 88% are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. Irvine's tech and biotech industries provide robust career avenues, with collaborative partnerships at corporations such as Blizzard Entertainment, Edwards Lifesciences, and prominent healthcare organizations. UCI career services are among the top in the country and offer students international internship and research possibilities. CSUF graduates, however, have a median salary of ~$62,951 ten years post-enrollment, with 85% in employment six months post-graduation. CSUF graduates are outstanding in the fields of business, education, and communications due to Orange County's corporate contacts and substantial regional alumni network. Although UCI has superior average salaries and international career pull, CSUF has excellent local placement and strong performance for teaching and business careers.
Research Impact & Facilities
CSUF, an R2 university, is committed to teaching and applied research with facilities like Pollak Library and Titan Student Union. UCI, R1 and AAU member, has more than $600M in annual research spending, facilities like the Anteater Learning Pavilion, and well-stocked libraries with more than 4 million volumes. CSUF is committed to access and teaching resources, while UCI provides world-class research facilities and international academic impact.
