CSU vs. California State University-Fresno

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fresno is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 15,257 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Fresno is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Fresno 22:1.

CSU vs. California State University-Fresno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or California State University-Fresno? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Fresno than CSU ($7,834 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 27.5% lower than at California State University Chico ($11,960 vs. $16,500).
• California State University Chico is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $1,122 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at CSU than at California State University Fresno (about $1,122 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at California State University Chico (85% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 7.1% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,326 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. California State University-Fresno Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or California State University-Fresno? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-Fresno and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 70 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming CSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; California State University Fresno 890/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; California State University Fresno 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; California State University-Fresno - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than CSU (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 17.5% at California State University-Fresno.

CSU vs. California State University-Fresno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and California State University-Fresno? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State University Fresno's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($155 vs. $175).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.