California State University-Fresno vs. Fresno City College

Comparable Facts

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

Fresno City College is larger than California State University-Fresno based on total student enrollment (28,071 students vs. 24,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); Fresno City College is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fresno City College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; Fresno City College 29:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. Fresno City College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or Fresno City College? 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 Fresno City College ($7,834 vs. $9,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 33.5% lower than at Fresno City College ($11,960 vs. $17,982).
• California State University Fresno is 451% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fresno City College (about $6,016 more per year; $7,350.00 vs. $1,334.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.5% higher at California State University-Fresno than at Fresno City College (about $9,796 more per year; $19,950.00 vs. $10,154.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fresno City College than at California State University Fresno (92% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 71% larger than aid received by Fresno City College students ($12,326 vs. $7,210).

California State University-Fresno vs. Fresno City College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or Fresno City College? 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 Fresno City College and California State University-Fresno.

• Fresno City College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; Fresno City College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.

California State University-Fresno vs. Fresno City College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and Fresno City College? 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).

• Graduates from California State University Fresno earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than Fresno City College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fresno City College graduates have a $11,155 lower median loan debt than California State University-Fresno graduates ($3,845 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Fresno City College graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Fresno graduates ($39 vs. $155).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno City College students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 32%)

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.