UC Riverside vs Cal State Fullerton: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-Riverside and California State University-Fullerton, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UC Riverside vs Cal State Fullerton at a glance
UC Riverside admits 76.4% of applicants and Cal State Fullerton 90.5% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $12,672 at UC Riverside and $5,115 at Cal State Fullerton. Six-year graduation rates are 75.1% and 67.9%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UC Riverside admits 76.4% of applicants and Cal State Fullerton 90.5%, so UC Riverside is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $12,672 a year at UC Riverside and $5,115 at Cal State Fullerton; Cal State Fullerton costs $7,557 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $6,871 at UC Riverside and $2,620 at Cal State Fullerton.
- 75.1% of students graduate within six years at UC Riverside, against 67.9% at Cal State Fullerton.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $72,974 for UC Riverside and $69,015 for Cal State Fullerton; UC Riverside is $3,959 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $16,368 at UC Riverside and $13,594 at Cal State Fullerton.
- UC Riverside enrolls 22,593 students (large city) and Cal State Fullerton 38,546 (large suburb).
Side by side
UC Riverside and Cal State Fullerton in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | UC Riverside | Cal State Fullerton |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 76.4% | 90.5% |
| Applicants | 52,672 | 45,140 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $12,672 | $5,115 |
| Tuition, in state | $16,103 | $7,952 |
| Tuition, out of state | $53,705 | $21,272 |
| Cost of attendance | $38,424 | $17,787 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $6,871 | $2,620 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,549 | $2,878 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,099 | $3,852 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $13,190 | $6,994 |
| Over $110,000 | $30,021 | $14,753 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 75.1% | 67.9% |
| First-year retention | 87.6% | 82.4% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $72,974 | $69,015 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $16,368 | $13,594 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $186 | $154 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 22,593 | 38,546 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
| Location | Riverside, CA | Fullerton, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
UC Riverside reports 60 bachelor's programs and Cal State Fullerton 62; 37 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UC Riverside vs Cal State Fullerton
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UC Riverside or Cal State Fullerton?
UC Riverside is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UC Riverside admits 76.4% of applicants and Cal State Fullerton admits 90.5%.
Which is cheaper, UC Riverside or Cal State Fullerton?
Cal State Fullerton has the lower average net price after grants: $12,672 a year at UC Riverside against $5,115 at Cal State Fullerton. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $6,871 and $2,620. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UC Riverside or Cal State Fullerton graduates earn more?
UC Riverside graduates earn more at the median: $72,974 ten years after entry for UC Riverside and $69,015 for Cal State Fullerton. Median federal debt at graduation is $16,368 and $13,594.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UC Riverside or Cal State Fullerton?
UC Riverside does: 75.1% of UC Riverside students graduate within six years, against 67.9% at Cal State Fullerton.
How big are UC Riverside and Cal State Fullerton?
UC Riverside has 22,593 students in Riverside, CA and Cal State Fullerton has 38,546 students in Fullerton, CA.