California State University-Fresno vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fresno is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 1,574 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 11% lower than at La Sierra University ($11,960 vs. $13,431).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Fresno (about $17,760 more per year; $37,710 vs. $19,950).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Fresno (98% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 124.3% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($27,646 vs. $12,326).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at La Sierra University than at California State University-Fresno (23 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-Fresno and La Sierra University.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at La Sierra University average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.42 higher than at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($15,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($155 vs. $310).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 52%).

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