CSU vs. California State University-Fresno

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Fresno is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Fresno is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Fresno 22:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 27.5% lower than at California State University Chico ($11,960 vs. $16,500).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at CSU than at California State University Fresno (about $1,122 more per year; $21,072 vs. $19,950).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at California State University Chico (85% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 7.1% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,326 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at CSU than at California State University-Fresno (21 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and California State University-Fresno.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at CSU average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 17.5% at California State University-Fresno.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($155 vs. $175).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.