California State University-Fresno vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fresno is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($7,834 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 12.1% lower than at Southern California Institute of Architecture ($11,960 vs. $13,600).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 664.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $48,812 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 181.5% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University Fresno (about $36,212 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (85% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 245.8% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($42,627 vs. $12,326).

California State University-Fresno vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 130 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Fresno 890/1100; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Fresno 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

California State University-Fresno vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State University Fresno's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University Fresno earn a median of about $100 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $27,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($15,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $287 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($155 vs. $442).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 62%)

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.