California State University-Fresno vs. FIDM LA

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA with FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fresno is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. FIDM LA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or FIDM LA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Fresno than FIDM LA ($7,834 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 45.8% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($11,960 vs. $22,086).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is 376.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $27,650 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.4% higher at FIDM LA than at California State University Fresno (about $15,050 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (85% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students is 12.2% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($13,834 vs. $12,326).

California State University-Fresno vs. FIDM LA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or FIDM LA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between FIDM LA and California State University-Fresno.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.

California State University-Fresno vs. FIDM LA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and FIDM LA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than California State University Fresno's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University Fresno earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than California State University-Fresno graduates ($13,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Fresno graduates ($134 vs. $155).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIDM LA students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.