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Side-by-side

California State University-Fullerton vs University of California-San Diego

The numbers that actually decide it — net price after aid, how hard each is to get into, and how many students finish — compared straight across. Net price beats sticker price every time.

Same s campus feel and a comparable size (35k undergrads vs 39k undergrads) — students often consider these side-by-side.

California State University-FullertonUniversity of California-San Diego
Acceptance rate91%27%
Net price (in-state)

what the average family actually pays after aid

$7,470$16,758
Net price (out-of-state)$20,070$50,958
Sticker tuition (in-state)$7,470$16,758
Sticker tuition (out-of-state)$20,070$50,958
Graduation rate70%87%
Total enrollment38,54634,948

Net price = sticker price minus the average grant aid for that school (IPEDS / Dept. of Education data). Real numbers vary by family income and student stats — verify each school's own Net Price Calculator before committing. Canonical: /compare/california-state-university-fullerton-vs-university-of-california-san-diego.

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.