California State University-Fresno vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fresno is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or La Sierra 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 La Sierra University ($7,834 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 11% lower than at La Sierra University ($11,960 vs. $13,431).
• La Sierra University is 413.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $30,360 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Fresno (about $17,760 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Fresno (98% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 124.3% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($27,646 vs. $12,326).

California State University-Fresno vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or La Sierra 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 La Sierra University and California State University-Fresno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at La Sierra University (1010) is 10 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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; La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

California State University-Fresno vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and La Sierra 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).

• California State University Fresno's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($15,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($155 vs. $310).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 52%)

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.