California State University - Fullerton

California State University, Fullerton (also known as Cal State Fullerton or CSUF), is one of the leading campuses of the California State University system. Ranking 139th in National Universities in the USA, rising to 72nd place for top public schools (U.S. News & World Report (USNWR), 2026), the university offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Degrees are offered across eight colleges that offer 100+ exceptional programs, and all the programs have been created, nurtured and grown by faculty committed to delivering intriguing and immersive learning experiences that will fuel the students' interests and inspire new ones. The eight colleges at CSUF are:

• College of the Arts
• College of Business and Economics
• College of Communications
• College of Education
• College of Engineering and Computer Science
• College of Health and Human Development
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Student success is paramount at CSUF, with employability built into every program. Many courses include significant experiential learning opportunities with classes taught by experts in the field. Outside the classroom, students benefit from exemplary support across their academic and personal lives and can join student clubs, organizations, and sporting teams. The campus boasts a robust calendar of activities suited for various interests and pursuits.

Cal State Fullerton is a diverse and multicultural university positioned conveniently in Southern California, only a short distance from Los Angeles International Airport. The campus is about 20 miles (30 km) from stunning beaches along the Pacific Coast. The campus is also close to a wide range of ethnic neighborhoods boasting many cuisines and cultural activities and celebrations.

Cal State Fullerton places student success at the heart of all its 100+ degree programs. Taught by experienced faculty, students receive a multidisciplinary education fostering critical thinking, creativity, and innovation. Independent learning and collaboration are encouraged in equal measure.

Programs at CSUF are renowned for their overall excellence, with students benefiting from lectures, seminars and hands-on experience in their chosen area of expertise. Faculty are approachable, adaptable and committed to ensuring that all students get the best from their learning experience.

Through curricula incorporating experiential learning and practical experience alongside traditional learning and teaching methods, students gain all the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their field, whether they decide to move into the workplace or delve deeper into academia.

Further enhancing the value of CSUF degrees, many study programs have accreditation by professional agencies in the discipline. Students also benefit from plenty of opportunities to get involved in active research programs, including faculty-student collaborative research. In so doing, students learn at the pioneering forefront of their field, further enhancing their educational experience whilst having a simultaneously positive national and global impact.

Cal State Fullerton is home to eight colleges. These are:

• College of the Arts (COTA) - Offering study programs across dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. Cutting-edge facilities include an array of impressive performance spaces. COTA serves as a living laboratory for the arts.
• College of Business and Economics (CBE) - CBE offers study programs across business administration, economics, and international business the college is the largest business colleges in California accredited by AACSB.
• College of Communications (COMM) - CSUF has the only College of Communication with the CSU System. Four departments deliver a comprehensive curriculum, including cinema and television arts and communication sciences.
• College of Education (COE) - All programs, including credential programs, pathways to teaching, and master's and doctoral programs emphasize social justice, technology, and community partnerships.
• College of Engineering and Computer Science - The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) is ABET-accredited and offers several study programs across most major engineering specializations, from software engineering to mechanical engineering and new majors in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• College of Health and Human Development - Offering degree programs including nursing, counseling, human services, kinesiology, military science, public health and social work, the college also maintains rigorous national accreditation standards.
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences - The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) departments and programs offer students a liberal arts education in the humanities and social sciences. Subjects include ageing studies, American studies, anthropology, English, and comparative literature.
• College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics - The college offers programs in biological science, chemistry and biochemistry, geological sciences, mathematics, and physics. The college also offers a wide range of scholarships and department-based fellowships.

All students at Cal State Fullerton must meet the entry requirements for their chosen course. Eligibility criteria vary between specific study programs. Students must submit school transcripts evidencing their prior qualifications as part of their application.

Students may familiarize themselves with the broad entry requirements below but should be aware that entry requirements vary between programs. Some programs, including MBA and information systems, have additional requirements.

Performing arts majors, including dance, music, and theater also require students to audition.

International undergraduate entry requirements (freshmen)

• Academic: to enroll on an undergraduate degree at CSUF, the entry requirements expect students to have a comprehensive high school education. A GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) may be required in specific subjects.
• English language proficiency: a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 5.5 or equivalent qualification or TOEFL iBT of 61/3.5 (new scale), or Duolingo score of 110.

International graduate entry requirements

• Academic: to enroll in a graduate degree program, students require an undergraduate degree from an internationally accredited university or college. A GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) is recommended.
• Tests: some master's programs require students to take additional tests, for example, the GMAT, GRE, or MAT, and/or supply a portfolio.
• English language proficiency: a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or equivalent qualification, or TOEFL iBT of 80/4 (new scale), or Duolingo score of 110.

Academic

Students at Cal State Fullerton benefit from top-of-the-range facilities, resources, and equipment. Each college provides academic facilities carefully chosen to reflect the latest developments in each field of study. Examples include:

• Live performance spaces, including theatres and dance studios
• Communications studios for TV, radio, and broadcast journalism
• Specialist laboratories, including high-tech computer labs

Library

CSUF's expansive Pollak Library provides students access to thousands of books, journals, and digital media. There are also archive spaces and special collections. The library also houses computer labs designed for students to use college-specific tools and software, group and individual study spaces, and the Pollak Library Makerspace where students, faculty, and staff can make, create, collaborate, and innovate with many tools and materials.

Accommodation

CSUF offers a variety of housing options on and off campus for students to enjoy. Most freshmen students choose to live in the university's award-winning residence halls for their first year before moving into university-owned apartment-style housing, which is also popular with graduate students.

Living on campus gives students access to several exclusive amenities, including computer labs, meeting rooms, a fitness space, and communal areas. Example costs for room and board in the 2026/27 academic year are:

• Residence halls: USD 19,772 – USD 20,384
• Apartments: USD 18,397 – USD 21,357

Extra-curricular

Students have free access to the Student Recreation Center and can use the university's exemplary facilities to get involved in a full range of sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track and field, and water polo, amongst others. There are also more than 300 clubs and organizations for students to join, covering sports, culture, academics, and more.

Cal State Fullerton offers a range of financial aid opportunities to make higher education accessible to all students. Students are advised to carefully check the eligibility criteria and application requirements, including deadlines before applying. Eligible students may access several financial aid opportunities, including scholarships and awards, through the university.

Scholarships may be awarded to students based on academic merit or extra-curricular achievement. Some scholarships may be offered on a university-wide basis and are unrestricted by a student's field of study. Others must be applied for directly through the student's chosen college. Students are encouraged to contact the university directly or refer to the university's website for more information on the scholarships available and the eligibility criteria.

Rankings

In the recent rankings, Cal State Fullerton has excelled across several categories. Accolades include:

• 72nd best public school in the USA (USNWR, 2026)
• 139th best college overall in the USA (USNWR, 2026)
• 6th in ‘Top performers on Social Mobility' (USNWR, 2026).
• 4.5-star rating ‘Best Colleges in America' (Money, 2026)
• 118^th in the America's Top Colleges (Forbes, 2026)
• Seal of Excelensia, 2024-2027, U.S. Department of Education

Subject-specific rankings include:

• Largest AACSB-accredited California business school
• 46^th in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs in the nation among non-PhD granting institutions, as per the USNWR, 2026.

New infrastructure

The College of Engineering and Computer Science Innovation Hub: the $85M 48,000 square foot brand-new building will become the new home for engaged, hands-on engineering and computer science education with six dedicated research clusters.

Cal State Fullerton's College of Business and Economics is moving forward on an expansive vision for leadership education and development through the construction of Landmark Hall on the CSUF campus. Spanning three stories, it will serve as a pioneering local base for leadership, education, and development. It will become a global destination to engage in leadership studies, providing innovative and transformative programs that meet the needs of diverse communities.