California State University-Fresno vs. UT-Pan American

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is larger than California State University-Fresno based on total student enrollment (33,881 students vs. 24,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is in Edinburg, TX (Small City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 20:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. UT-Pan American Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or UT-Pan American? 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley than California State University-Fresno ($5,282 vs. $7,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are 18.7% lower than at California State University Fresno ($9,728 vs. $11,960).
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is 35.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $2,637 more per year; $9,987.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at California State University-Fresno than at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (about $123 more per year; $19,950.00 vs. $19,827.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley than at California State University Fresno (93% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 5.7% larger than aid received by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students ($12,326 vs. $11,663).

California State University-Fresno vs. UT-Pan American Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or UT-Pan American? 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 UT-Pan American and California State University-Fresno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Fresno (1000) is 10 points higher than at UT-Pan American (990).
• Incoming California State University-Fresno students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 18) as students at UT-Pan American (18).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; UT-Pan American - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; UT-Pan American Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT-Pan American students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.16) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than UT-Pan American (94.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 40.5% at UT-Pan American.

California State University-Fresno vs. UT-Pan American Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and UT-Pan American? 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University Fresno earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than UT-Pan American graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates have a $4,461 lower median loan debt than California State University-Fresno graduates ($10,539 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, UT-Pan American graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Fresno graduates ($108 vs. $155).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT-Pan American students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

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.