California State University-Fresno vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than California State University-Fresno based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 24,427 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State ($7,834 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 43% lower than at San Jose State University ($11,960 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $1,060 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at San Jose State than at California State University Fresno (about $1,060 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at San Jose State University (85% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($12,353 vs. $12,326).

California State University-Fresno vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State and California State University-Fresno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 130 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming San Jose State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Jose State students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

California State University-Fresno vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and San Jose State? 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).

• California State University Fresno's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University and California State University-Fresno graduates have the same median loan debt ($15,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, San Jose State University and California State University-Fresno graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($155 vs. $155).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 63%)

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.