California State University-Fresno
Fresno, California · Public · 95.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 81/100 · Strong Value
California State University-Fresno
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,350/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $19,950/yr |
| Average net price | $7,000/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $28,000 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,244 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $14,505 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $154 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 57.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 21,605 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,105 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,429 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,196 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,291 |
| $110,001+ | $16,899 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California State University-Fresno with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,133 | B |
| Psychology | $51,526 | C+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,436 | C+ |
| Political Science and Government | $48,647 | B+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $54,849 | C+ |
| Biology | $50,728 | C |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $76,268 | - |
| Sociology | $49,407 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $111,278 | A |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $67,731 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California State University-Fresno is $7,350/year ($19,950/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $7,000/year, or roughly $28,000 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $5,105/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $16,899/year.
The median graduate leaves with $14,505 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $154 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $61,244 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.39 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 65.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 71.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 67.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 70.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 95.3% |
| Enrollment | 21,605 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 57.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,540 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Fresno (this school) | 81 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| Washington State University | 84 | $14,971 | $68,905 |
| Iowa State University | 79 | $18,589 | $63,386 |
| University of Kansas | 76 | $18,059 | $61,945 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
California State University-Fresno delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $7,000 per year ($28,000 over four years), graduates earn a median of $61,244 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.4 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $14,505 is very manageable against $61,244 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.