California State University-Fresno vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fresno is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($7,834 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 17.5% lower than at California State University Fresno ($9,868 vs. $11,960).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 311.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $22,915 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.7% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Fresno (about $10,315 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Fresno (100% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 37.8% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($16,982 vs. $12,326).

California State University-Fresno vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and California State University-Fresno.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120) is 120 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

California State University-Fresno vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $10,750 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $111 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($155 vs. $266).

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.