Fresno State: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially California State University-Fresno · Fresno, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #208 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #199 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #44 (tie), Computer Science #257 (tie), Nursing #195 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by California State University-Fresno, read on 2026-01-10.
Is Fresno State a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Fresno State against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Fresno State 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.
Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, Fresno State 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 Fresno State?
Fresno State 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.
Compare Fresno State with the other schools on your list
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SAT and ACT scores Fresno State typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: Fresno State does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • SAT/ACT not used for admission or the Multi-Factor Admission Score (CSU system policy).
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Fresno State's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Fresno State 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, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 57% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $7,000 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Fresno State
Most popular majors at Fresno State
The most popular undergraduate programs at Fresno State, 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, Fresno State 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 Fresno State safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Fresno State 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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Common questions parents ask about Fresno State
What GPA do I need for Fresno State?
Fresno State 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 Fresno State typically admit?
Fresno State is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does Fresno State actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Fresno State 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 Fresno State realistic for my child?
Fresno State 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 Fresno State?
Fresno State accepts about 95% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Fresno State test-optional?
Fresno State is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
Is Fresno State a public or private school, and where is it located?
Fresno State is a public institution located in Fresno, California.
What are the most popular majors at Fresno State?
The largest undergraduate majors at Fresno State 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 Fresno State safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Fresno State 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