California State University Fullerton (CSUF) is a public university in Fullerton, California, part of the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. It has a total enrollment of approximately 41,408 students, making it among the largest universities within the California State University system. The admissions are moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 86.7%. The most popular majors at CSUF are Business, Communications, Psychology, Health Professions, and Education. CSUF's six-year graduation rate is 69%, and its graduates have a median pay of around INR 62,00,000 (from $74,900 median earnings a decade after graduation).
The Riverside City College (RCC) is a public two-year community college in Riverside, California, serving the Inland Empire region. RCC has around 19,680 students enrolled in certificate, associate degree, and transfer programs. As it is an open-admissions college, RCC has a 100% acceptance rate. Most popular areas of study are Liberal Arts & Humanities, Business, Criminal Justice, Nursing, and Social Sciences. The rate of graduation/transfer in three years is roughly 38%, and RCC graduates or transfer students earn a median income of around INR 39,50,000 (converted from $47,800 median earnings ten years post-graduation).
| California State University Fullerton | Riverside City College | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5 Out of 10 | - |
| ranking (overall) | # 1377 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 133 US News 2024 # 1067 US News 2024 | - |
| Subject Strength | - | - |
| Programs | UG Programs -106 PG Programs -65 | |
| Acceptance Rate | 86.7 % | 100.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-5.5 SAT-1020 TOEFL-61 | - |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 16399 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 19327 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 33068 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 | |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts, Submit LORs, Submit English language proficiency, Check program specific requirements | - |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 9 reviews | - |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | California State University Fullerton | Riverside City College |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | College |
| Established | 1957 | |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 23:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 44% Male, 56% Female | 0% Male, 0% 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. | |
| 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! | |
| Hostel | #Off campus (not with family) - $14502 #On campus - $15642 #Off campus (with family) - $2924 | - |
| 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 | |
| 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. | |
| Weather |
California State University Fullerton vs Riverside City College
Topic Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) is a public research university of the California State University system, while Riverside City College (RCC) is a community college of the Riverside Community College District. CSUF is ranked in national rankings as a state and regional university, with recognized strengths in communications, business, education, and health sciences. RCC, being a two-year college, is not ranked globally but is highly regarded regionally for its dedication to the provision of associate degrees, technical certification, and transfer education to four-year universities like CSUF and the University of California system.
General Information
CSUF is in Fullerton, California, and has approximately 40,000 students (over 33,000 of whom are undergraduates), which makes it among the largest universities in California. It has undergraduate, master's, and select doctoral programs in eight colleges. Riverside City College is in Riverside, California, with around 20,000 students mainly taking associate degree programs, vocational certificates, and university-transfer courses.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
CSUF is moderately selective, and it has an acceptance rate of about 86.7%%. CSUF admits students primarily via the California State University application and places great importance on GPA and college prep courses. RCC is an open-admissions school, so nearly every candidate is accepted, in accordance with its mission as a community college committed to accessibility and educational opportunity.
Research Impact & Facilities
Being a general university, CSUF has broadening research activities, including business, engineering, communications, and the sciences, and has collaborations with the industries of Southern California. RCC is not research-based but possesses good vocational training facilities, performing arts programs, and transfer agreements that enable students to transfer easily to CSUs or UCs after two years.
Cost & Financial Aid
RCC is considerably less expensive, with in-state tuition costs of around $1,400–$1,500 per year compared to CSUF's in-state rate of roughly $7,500–$8,000 per year. Out-of-state tuition at CSUF is nearer to $19,000–$20,000 annually. Both schools have access to California state assistance, federal student aid, and scholarships, with RCC being one of the least expensive ways to enter higher education in California.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
CSUF alumni tend to find employment in business, education, engineering, communications, and healthcare, with median salaries around $55,000–$58,000 ten years after attending. RCC graduates commonly transfer to CSUF, UC Riverside, or other colleges to earn bachelor's degrees. For students directly entering the workforce following RCC, results are best in vocational and technical careers, although long-term salaries generally increase after transferring and finishing advanced degrees.
