California State University-Fresno vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fresno is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or WNC? 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 WNC ($7,834 vs. $14,929).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 32.8% lower than at Western Nevada College ($11,960 vs. $17,788).
• California State University Fresno is 76.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $3,182 more per year; $7,350.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.4% higher at California State University-Fresno than at Western Nevada College (about $7,116 more per year; $19,950.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at California State University Fresno (88% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 109.8% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($12,326 vs. $5,874).

California State University-Fresno vs. WNC Admissions comparison

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

• Western Nevada 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; WNC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.

California State University-Fresno vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and WNC? 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 $12,800 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $3,684 lower median loan debt than California State University-Fresno graduates ($11,316 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Fresno graduates ($117 vs. $155).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 30%)

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.