With close to 40,000 students, Cal State Fullerton is one of the largest campuses in the CSU system. It opened in 1957 in north Orange County, a short drive from Anaheim. Its Mihaylo College of Business and Economics is one of the largest business schools in the country, and communications, computer science and engineering are also big. The 26-acre Fullerton Arboretum sits on the edge of campus.
Fullerton, California, United States
Official website: fullerton.edu
1957
Public, California State University system
Mihaylo College of Business and Economics
Close to 40,000
$18,000 – $21,000
International students, tuition plus nonresident fees
$18,000 – $24,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on fullerton.edu before you apply.
BA Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Information Technology
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BA Communications
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
A very large business school with many concentrations.
Graduate computer science popular with international students.
An arboretum and botanical garden on campus.
Business graduates join Orange County employers in finance, retail, health care and tourism.
Computer science alumni work across Irvine's tech and gaming firms.
Eligible F-1 graduates can apply for OPT; STEM degrees may get the extension.
Undergrad
Oct to early Dec
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Graduate only mostly
Postgrad
Selected programmes
Fullerton's downtown has bars, taquerias and a Metrolink and Amtrak station with trains to Los Angeles and San Diego.
Disneyland is about 15 minutes south. Many students share apartments near campus on Nutwood Avenue, and rents are high.
Form I-20 issued by the institution
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Undergraduates apply through Cal State Apply between October 1 and early December for fall. Graduate programmes have their own dates, often in winter or early spring, and some fill early.
Undergraduates start in the fall. Several graduate programmes, including computer science, also admit in spring.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from California State University - Fullerton first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Business, communications, computer science and the MS in Computer Science draw the most applicants. Undergraduate entry is competitive for impacted majors; graduate applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree and about IELTS 6.5.
Scholarships for international students are limited. Enrolled students can apply through the university's scholarship portal each year.
