California State University Fresno

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Fresno, CA
  • 4.0 2 reviews
#23 Best Public Universities in California

Overview

Total enrollment

24,427
California State University Fresno overview
California State University Fresno overview
  • Size Large
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

California State University, Fresno occupies a 388-acre main campus in the San Joaquin Valley, positioned in the northeast section of Fresno, California's fifth-largest city. The campus, established in 1911, features a mix of modernist and Spanish Revival architecture, with the Henry Madden Library serving as its centerpiece. As part of the California State University system, Fresno State maintains moderately selective admission standards and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across eight colleges, with notable strengths in agriculture, business, and engineering. The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology operates a 1,011-acre University Agricultural Laboratory, while the campus houses approximately 1,100 students in traditional residence halls and apartment-style living spaces. The university's NCAA Division I athletic program, known as the Bulldogs, competes in the Mountain West Conference and has achieved particular recognition in baseball and softball.

Ratings

California State University-Fresno is rated within the lower 35% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    2 out of 10
  • Resources
    3 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    6 out of 10
  • Value
    7 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
California State University Fresno admission standards

Acceptance Rate

95.3%
California State University Fresno applications overview
  • Applications Due Dec 15, 2026
  • Enrollment Rate 17.5%
  • Application Fee $70

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

California Resident Tuition

$7,350

Out of State Resident Tuition

$19,950

Breakdown

In State Costs for California State University Fresno
  • Tuition $7,350
  • Books and Supplies $1,062
  • Other Fees $1,266
  • Room and Board $11,960
  • Budget for Other Expenses $4,656
  • Total One Year Cost $26,294

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$46,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

49% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at California State University Fresno are Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences. 17% of students major in Business, 12% in Health Professions, and 12% in Social Sciences.

  • Business 17%
  • Health Professions 12%
  • Social Sciences 12%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 8%
  • Psychology 6%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering California State University Fresno are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110556.

GPA calculator: California State University Fresno GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026