California State University-Fresno
- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,244 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $7,000 A-
- 59% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 95% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 69.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $69.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $69.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,918,945.
What The Data Says
-
A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 50% more than the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $69.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why California State University-Fresno Matters
California State University-Fresno is a public research university in Fresno, CA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 21,605
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Social Sciences, Humanities
Why students choose California State University-Fresno
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 95% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $7,000 a year after grants and scholarships — 59% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,244 ten years after enrolling — 50% above the typical college, against $14,505 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.16 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
California State University-Fresno has a staggering 95% acceptance rate, making it an accessible option for a wide range of students. This high acceptance rate reflects the university's commitment to welcoming diverse backgrounds and fostering a large, inclusive community.
The outcomes for graduates are promising, with a 10-year earnings average of $61,244. While the graduation rate stands at 56%, many students find their footing after starting their education. The university serves a diverse student body, with 57% of students receiving Pell Grants, indicating a strong support system for low-income families.
Financially, the net price for attending CSUF is $7,000, which is relatively low compared to national averages. Graduates leave with a median debt of $14,505, making their financial burden manageable. Students who thrive here are often those seeking a supportive environment and practical programs in Business, Psychology, Social Sciences, and Health Professions.
Rankings
- #19 Best Colleges for Low-Income Students
- #27 Colleges With the Highest ROI
- #33 Most Affordable Colleges in California
- #33 Best Engineering Colleges in California
- #39 Most Affordable Colleges for Communications
- #44 Best Communications Colleges in California
- #45 Most Affordable Colleges for Social Sciences
- #45 Most Affordable Colleges for Public Administration
Can I Get In?
How selective California State University-Fresno is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into California State University-Fresno? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Fresno, California, California State University-Fresno admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 95%
- Retention Rate
- 82%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 55%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,540
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.56
- First-Gen Students
- 53%
- Applicants
- 18,551
- Admitted
- 17,703
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California State University-Fresno? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California State University-Fresno is $19,950, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $7,000. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,105 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,505 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,350
- Out-of-State
- $19,950
- Avg Net Price
- $7,000
- Median Debt
- $14,505
- Pell Grant Rate
- 57%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 19%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,105
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,429
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,196
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,899
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is California State University-Fresno Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California State University-Fresno earn a median of $61,244, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,012
- 8 Years
- $51,924
- 10 Years
- $61,244
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.24x
- Earning > $25K
- 60%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (653)
- 19%
- 100% (653)
- 19%
- 100% (653)
- 19%
- 100% (653)
- 19%
How California Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is California State University-Fresno Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, California State University-Fresno delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,000/year ($28,000 total). Graduates earn $61,244 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,946,945 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,918,945 (69.5× your investment). The median debt is $14,505, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $28,000
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,946,945
- Net Return
- $1,918,945
- ROI Multiple
- 69.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $7,000
- Median Debt
- $14,505
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,381
- Investment Income
- $-6,199,894
Top Programs
The fields California State University-Fresno awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 14%
- Psychology 12%
- Social Sciences 12%
- Humanities 9%
- Health Professions 7%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Engineering 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for California State University-Fresno's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into California State University-Fresno? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Fresno, California, California State University-Fresno admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California State University-Fresno? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California State University-Fresno is $19,950, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $7,000. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,105 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,505 in federal student loans.
Is California State University-Fresno Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California State University-Fresno earn a median of $61,244, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is California State University-Fresno? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at California State University-Fresno. Its economic connectedness score is 1.16, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to California State University-Fresno.
- California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA · Close peer57% grad $59,115 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA · Close peer56% grad $64,876 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA · Close peer55% grad $59,977 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · Close peer53% grad $59,211 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA · Close peer54% grad $62,908 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV · Close peer50% grad $55,037 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is California State University-Fresno? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at California State University-Fresno. Its economic connectedness score is 1.16, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note