College Grad Analyst
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California · Public · Predominantly bachelor's

Cal State Fullerton

Fullerton, California. 36,956 undergraduate students. 133 programs in the federal Field-of-Study dataset.

UNITID 110565 · OPEID 001137 · IPEDS HDVINTAGE · COLLEGE SCORECARD · 2025-05 · HISTORY 1996–2024
ANOMALY ENGINE · NOTABLE SIGNALS

Earnings, completion, debt, and enrollment anomalies at Cal State Fullerton

Short-arc shifts (recent 3-year window), peer outliers, earnings trend breaks, completion drops, enrollment cliffs, and debt-to-earnings warnings — surfaced deterministically from the federal record. Multi-decade shifts are reported separately in the Long Arc section, since 25-year tuition drift isn't really an anomaly.

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING WORSE+18%

Median federal debt at exit

Median federal debt at exit at California State University-Fullerton rose 18% between 2007 and 2010 ($8.9k → $10.5k).

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING BETTER-100%

3-year cohort default rate

3-year cohort default rate at California State University-Fullerton fell 100% between 2021 and 2024 (0.8% → 0.0%).

LONG-ARC SHIFT · TRENDING BETTER+35%

100%-time completion

100%-time completion at California State University-Fullerton rose 35% between 2021 and 2024 (29.0% → 39.0%).

SECTION 01 · OUTCOMES SNAPSHOT

Cal State Fullerton earnings, debt, and completion vs. the California median

Each tile compares this institution to the California median for the same metric. Sub-line shows the comparison value, not an interpretation. Sparklines trace the federally available history.

MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10Y
$62,951+30% · 6→10y
California median $42,588
MEDIAN EARNINGS · 6Y
$48,558
Treasury earnings · 6y post-entry
COMPLETION · 150%
69.2%+74% · '97→'24
California median 61.3%
MEDIAN FEDERAL DEBT
$12,000+70% · '97→'10
At program completion
UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT
36,956+49% · '96→'10
latest IPEDS
RETENTION
85.0%+2% · '04→'24
first-time, full-time
ADMISSION RATE
86.7%+31% · '01→'24
latest cohort
IN-STATE TUITION
$7,073+313% · '00→'24
out-of-state $18,953
SECTION 02 · EARNINGS HORIZONS

How Cal State Fullerton earnings spread, 4 to 10 years after entry

Treasury tax-record earnings for federally aided students who first enrolled at this institution. Each point is a horizon from the most-recent vintage. Single median per horizon (no p25/p75 publishing).

ALL FEDERALLY AIDED STUDENTS · TAX-RECORD EARNINGSVINTAGE 2025-05
Earnings widen with time post-entry. Selection: federal-aid recipients only — not all graduates.Methodology →
SECTION 03 · DEBT-TO-EARNINGS

What loans cost relative to earnings at Cal State Fullerton

Annual debt service as a share of median earnings 10 years after entry, computed under federal Direct loan terms (10-year fixed at 6%). The 8% line is the gainful-employment threshold from federal regulation; above 12% has historically been considered “failing” under prior rule cycles.

Institution-wide

2.5%
0%8% · GE20%+

Median federal debt $12,000 amortized over 10 years vs. median earnings $62,951 (10y after entry).

SECTION 04 · LONG ARC

Cal State Fullerton enrollment, completion, and debt over time

Federally available history. Coverage varies by metric — IPEDS publishes some series only after 2009 and others only before.

UNDERGRAD · 1996–201029,876
30,70320,09019962010
Undergraduate enrollment.IPEDS EF
COMPLETION 150% · 1997–202470.2%
71%40%19972024
150%-time completion rate.IPEDS GR
MEDIAN DEBT · 1997–2010$10,500
$10,500$6,18519972010
Median federal student debt at exit.SCORECARD
COMPLETION · 150% · 1997→2024+74%

Cal State Fullerton · completion · 150% rose

40.3% → 70.2%

COMPLETION · 100% · 1997→2024+425%

Cal State Fullerton · completion · 100% rose

7.4% → 39.0%

UNDERGRAD ENROLLMENT · 1996→2010+49%

Cal State Fullerton · undergrad enrollment rose

20,090 → 29,876

IN-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+313%

Cal State Fullerton · in-state tuition rose

$1,810 → $7,470

OUT-OF-STATE TUITION · 2000→2024+118%

Cal State Fullerton · out-of-state tuition rose

$9,190 → $20,070

MEDIAN DEBT · 1997→2010+70%

Cal State Fullerton · median debt rose

$6,185 → $10,500

COHORT DEFAULT RATE · 2011→2024-100%

Cal State Fullerton · cohort default rate fell

6.2% → 0.0%

PELL SHARE · 2008→2024+93%

Cal State Fullerton · pell share rose

24.9% → 48.1%

EARNINGS_MEDIAN_8YR · 2005→2020+20%

Cal State Fullerton · earnings_median_8yr rose

$47,300 → $56,954

SECTION 05 · PROGRAMS

Cal State Fullerton programs ranked by 5-year earnings

Each row is one (CIP × credential) program reported by the institution in College Scorecard's Field-of-Study data. Cohort floor is 30 students; below this, federal data is suppressed.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCIP 5138 · Doctoral Degree$210,792—Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCIP 5138 · Master's Degree$176,72850 gradsEducational Administration and SupervisionCIP 1304 · Doctoral Degree$134,88141 gradsComputer EngineeringCIP 1409 · Master's Degree$133,37489 gradsComputer ScienceCIP 1107 · Master's Degree$118,31289 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCIP 5138 · Bachelor's Degree$116,259373 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsCIP 5202 · Master's Degree$115,490137 gradsComputer EngineeringCIP 1409 · Bachelor's Degree$113,27849 gradsAccounting and Related ServicesCIP 5203 · Master's Degree$111,02449 gradsComputer ScienceCIP 1107 · Bachelor's Degree$108,989308 gradsElectrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringCIP 1410 · Master's Degree$108,62420 gradsEnvironmental/Environmental Health EngineeringCIP 1414 · Master's Degree$106,63128 gradsCivil EngineeringCIP 1408 · Master's Degree$102,35045 gradsTaxationCIP 5216 · Master's Degree$102,21015 gradsNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchCIP 0301 · Master's Degree$98,81117 gradsPublic Administration and Social Service Professions, OtherCIP 4499 · Master's Degree$98,116—Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringCIP 1410 · Bachelor's Degree$95,01153 gradsCivil EngineeringCIP 1408 · Bachelor's Degree$93,096116 gradsMechanical EngineeringCIP 1419 · Bachelor's Degree$93,073195 gradsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasCIP 1313 · Master's Degree$92,111—Special Education and TeachingCIP 1310 · Master's Degree$88,354—Communication and Media StudiesCIP 0901 · Master's Degree$87,31623 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCIP 5102 · Master's Degree$87,23930 gradsEconomicsCIP 4506 · Bachelor's Degree$86,08473 grads
Showing top 24 of 67 ranked programs.133 TOTAL PROGRAMS
SECTION 06 · BY CIP FAMILY

67 Cal State Fullerton programs with earnings, grouped by field

Programs are grouped by 2-digit CIP family. Programs without reported earnings are hidden to keep the list focused.

COMPUTER & INFORMATION SCIENCES · CIP 11

Computer ScienceBachelor's Degree$108,989308 gradsComputer ScienceMaster's Degree$118,31289 gradsInformation Science/StudiesBachelor's Degree$70,302—

EDUCATION · CIP 13

Educational Administration and SupervisionDoctoral Degree$134,88141 gradsEducational Administration and SupervisionMaster's Degree$71,729—Special Education and TeachingMaster's Degree$88,354—Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsMaster's Degree$78,465—Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasBachelor's Degree$73,048—Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasMaster's Degree$92,111—

ENGINEERING · CIP 14

Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's Degree$93,073195 gradsCivil EngineeringBachelor's Degree$93,096116 gradsComputer EngineeringMaster's Degree$133,37489 gradsElectrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBachelor's Degree$95,01153 gradsComputer EngineeringBachelor's Degree$113,27849 gradsCivil EngineeringMaster's Degree$102,35045 gradsEnvironmental/Environmental Health EngineeringMaster's Degree$106,63128 gradsElectrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringMaster's Degree$108,62420 grads

FOREIGN LANGUAGES · CIP 16

Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsBachelor's Degree$45,85447 gradsLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesBachelor's Degree$43,65921 grads

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES · CIP 19

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesBachelor's Degree$49,529—

ENGLISH LANGUAGE & LITERATURE · CIP 23

English Language and Literature, GeneralBachelor's Degree$46,143155 gradsEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralMaster's Degree$58,42225 grads

LIBERAL ARTS & GENERAL STUDIES · CIP 24

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesBachelor's Degree$52,783159 grads

BIOLOGICAL & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES · CIP 26

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBachelor's Degree$76,27354 gradsBiology, GeneralMaster's Degree$78,13714 gradsCell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesBachelor's Degree$69,963—Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyBachelor's Degree$64,330—

PARKS, RECREATION & FITNESS · CIP 31

Health and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's Degree$54,777544 gradsHealth and Physical Education/FitnessMaster's Degree$57,99837 grads

PHYSICAL SCIENCES · CIP 40

Geological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesBachelor's Degree$79,10325 grads

PSYCHOLOGY · CIP 42

Psychology, GeneralBachelor's Degree$56,770791 gradsClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyMaster's Degree$69,025—

HOMELAND SECURITY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES · CIP 43

Criminal Justice and CorrectionsBachelor's Degree$58,736365 grads

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & SOCIAL SERVICES · CIP 44

Social WorkMaster's Degree$78,871107 gradsPublic AdministrationBachelor's Degree$68,00733 gradsSocial WorkBachelor's Degree$50,860—Public Administration and Social Service Professions, OtherMaster's Degree$98,116—

SOCIAL SCIENCES · CIP 45

SociologyBachelor's Degree$52,832382 gradsPolitical Science and GovernmentBachelor's Degree$62,338122 gradsEconomicsBachelor's Degree$86,08473 gradsAnthropologyBachelor's Degree$51,70339 gradsGeography and CartographyBachelor's Degree$52,46036 grads

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS · CIP 50

Fine and Studio ArtsBachelor's Degree$46,226401 gradsDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftBachelor's Degree$34,683110 gradsMusicBachelor's Degree$26,39265 grads

HEALTH PROFESSIONS · CIP 51

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBachelor's Degree$116,259373 gradsHealth Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralBachelor's Degree$58,041164 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesBachelor's Degree$65,573156 gradsRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingMaster's Degree$176,72850 gradsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesMaster's Degree$87,23930 gradsPublic HealthMaster's Degree$70,23226 gradsMental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsMaster's Degree$74,109—Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingDoctoral Degree$210,792—

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT & MARKETING · CIP 52

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's Degree$70,7182,451 gradsBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's Degree$115,490137 gradsInternational BusinessBachelor's Degree$57,10572 gradsAccounting and Related ServicesMaster's Degree$111,02449 gradsTaxationMaster's Degree$102,21015 grads

HISTORY · CIP 54

HistoryBachelor's Degree$50,071120 gradsHistoryMaster's Degree$64,73225 grads

NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION · CIP 03

Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchMaster's Degree$98,81117 grads

AREA, ETHNIC & CULTURAL STUDIES · CIP 05

Area StudiesBachelor's Degree$55,60251 gradsEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesBachelor's Degree$54,04640 grads

COMMUNICATION & JOURNALISM · CIP 09

Communication and Media StudiesBachelor's Degree$60,920754 gradsRadio, Television, and Digital CommunicationBachelor's Degree$49,196185 gradsCommunication and Media StudiesMaster's Degree$87,31623 gradsRadio, Television, and Digital CommunicationUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma$45,601—
SECTION 07 · SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS

Institutions similar to Cal State Fullerton in California

Picked by Carnegie sector × predominant credential level. These are not rankings — just nearest-neighbour surfaces for comparison.

LONG BEACH$64.4k

Cal State Long Beach

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 70% completion
NORTHRIDGE$59.1k

Cal State Northridge

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 56% completion
SACRAMENTO$64.9k

Sacramento State

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 56% completion
SAN JOSE$79.0k

San Jose State

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 65% completion
POMONA$71.9k

Cal Poly Pomona

Public · Predominantly bachelor's · 67% completion
CAUSAL DISCIPLINE

“Cal State Fullerton graduates earn $X” — not “Cal State Fullerton makes you earn $X”

Median earnings describe what cohorts earned. They do not describe what attending Cal State Fullerton caused. Selection effects (who admits, who enrolls, who completes) are real. We publish federal data with strict descriptive phrasing — and link the methodology where you can read about the limitations directly.

Methodology →