California State University-Fresno: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Fresno, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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California State University-Fresno is a public university in Fresno, California that admits about 95% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $7,000 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 9.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
California State University-Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, California State University-Fresno admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 95%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $7,000 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for California State University-Fresno?
California State University-Fresno has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores California State University-Fresno typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
How much does California State University-Fresno actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,350 for in-state students and $19,950 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,960 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $7,000 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 57% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $7,000 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for California State University-Fresno
Most popular majors at California State University-Fresno
The most popular undergraduate programs at California State University-Fresno, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Across all programs, California State University-Fresno confers roughly 2,864 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $65,494 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 655 | $65,494 |
| Psychology, General | 552 | $53,513 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 529 | $54,909 |
| Criminology | 399 | $42,026 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 231 | $57,456 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 177 | $113,245 |
| Sociology | 164 | $45,384 |
| Biology, General | 157 | $54,153 |
Is California State University-Fresno safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California State University-Fresno disclosed 198 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 9.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 11 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for California State University-Fresno
Common questions parents ask about California State University-Fresno
What GPA do I need for California State University-Fresno?
California State University-Fresno has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does California State University-Fresno typically admit?
California State University-Fresno does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does California State University-Fresno actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at California State University-Fresno after grants and scholarships is $7,000 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,350 and $19,950 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is California State University-Fresno realistic for my child?
California State University-Fresno admits 95% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $7,000 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Fresno?
California State University-Fresno accepts about 95% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is California State University-Fresno test-optional?
No. California State University-Fresno requires SAT or ACT scores as part of a standard application.
Is California State University-Fresno a public or private school, and where is it located?
California State University-Fresno is a public institution located in Fresno, California.
What are the most popular majors at California State University-Fresno?
The largest undergraduate majors at California State University-Fresno by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. The school awards about 2,864 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is California State University-Fresno safe? What is its campus crime rate?
California State University-Fresno reported 198 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 9.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Fresno, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers