- The mission of the college is to prepare students to be successful learners.
School Highlights
Fullerton College serves 19,521 students (37% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 40:1 is lower than the state community college average of 44:1.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 77%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 19,521 students
- In-state tuition: $1,138
- Out-state tuition: $6,010
- Student-teacher ratio: 40:1
- Minority enrollment: 85%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Fullerton College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
Community Size
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 492 teachers has declined by 36% over five years.
Fullerton College
(CA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Year Founded
1913
Total Faculty
492 staff
72 staff
School Calendar
School Motto
Empowering Student Success
Student Body
The student population of Fullerton College has declined by 8% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 40:1 has increased from 29:1 over five years.
The Fullerton College diversity score of 0.61 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
19,521 students
6,838 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
40:1
44:1
# Full-Time Students
7,300 students
1,022 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Part-Time Students
12,221 students
5,816 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Enrollment Undergraduate
19,521 students
2,055 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
7,300 students
967 students
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
12,221 students
5,850 students
% Asian
15%
12%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
58%
46%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
3%
7%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% White
15%
23%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Two or more races
6%
5%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
% Unknown races
2%
6%
Diversity Score
0.61
0.71
Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
33%
42%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$37,200
$34,300
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $1,138 is less than the state average of $1,238. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,010 is less than the state average of $6,634. The out-state tuition has declined by 22% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,138
$1,238
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,010
$6,634
Tuition Notes
$1,142 per year for resident students enrolled full-time
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
87%
85%
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Median Debt for Graduates
$5,125
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,815
$6,272
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Fullerton College is a public, two-year community college governed by a Board of Trustees under the laws of the State of California. It was established in April, 1913, when the governing board of Fullerton Union High School approved a motion that a two-year postgraduate course be added to the curriculum. The new Junior College - for such it was called from the beginning - opened in September, 1913, with 26 students and a curriculum of 10 courses. In 1922 the college was reorganized as an independent junior college district. After holding classes on the Fullerton High School campus for its first 23 years, the college began moving to its own fourteen acre campus next door in 1936. Since offering its first classes in 1913, Fullerton College has grown to become one of the most successful community colleges in the nation. The foundation of Fullerton College's success is the uniquely talented and dedicated faculty, administrators and staff who share a commitment to high academic standards, comprehensive opportunities for students and individual attention to student needs. Fullerton College offers a comprehensive array of academic programs with 90 majors leading to the A.A. or A.S. degree in both academic and vocational subjects, as well as 68 programs leading to vocational certificates. Fullerton College also enjoys one of the highest transfer rates in the state sending graduates to the University of California, California State University campuses and other institutions of higher education. In addition to excellent programs and services, Fullerton College offers a truly collegiate environment. The college's 18,000 students enjoy numerous extracurricular activities in student government, the campus newspaper, championship intercollegiate athletics, performance groups in theatre and music, cultural groups and media production in radio and television broadcasting, to name a few.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Fullerton College cost?
Fullerton College's tuition is approximately $1,138 for In-State students and $6,010 for Out-State students.
What is Fullerton College's ranking?
Fullerton College ranks among the top 20% of community college in California for: Least expensive tuition, Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.
Recent Articles
Required Course Full? Avoid Community College Degree Delays
Learn how a full required course can delay graduation, how to navigate waitlists, and how to find approved alternatives that protect your community college degree timeline and financial aid eligibility.
Catalog-Year Rules: Community College Graduation Requirements
Understand how catalog years determine community college graduation requirements, how enrollment breaks and major changes affect eligibility, and what to verify before choosing courses or switching to a newer catalog.
What If Your Community College Program Closes?
Learn what happens when your community college discontinues your program before graduation, including teach-out options, credit transfers, financial aid implications, student protections, and practical steps to finish your degree successfully.
