Fresno, CA · Private University
Is California State University-Fresno Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$61,244
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$6,980
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,860
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$75,440
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.25x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
54.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$14,505
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$6,480
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State University-Fresno graduates earn $16,244 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at California State University-Fresno ranked by graduate earnings
28 graduates
225 graduates
35 graduates
35 graduates
83 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State University-Fresno
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At California State University-Fresno, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $102,202) and the lowest (Philosophy: $20,354) is $81,848/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $102,202 | 5.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $97,606 | 5.2x |
| Computer Science | $91,077 | 4.8x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $88,350 | 4.7x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $85,726 | 4.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $81,554 | 4.3x |
| Civil Engineering | $80,775 | 4.3x |
| Engineering-Related Technologies(1yr data) | $78,518 | 4.2x |
| Plant Sciences | $70,421 | 3.7x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $62,939 | 3.3x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $62,027 | 3.3x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $59,851 | 3.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $59,458 | 3.1x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $58,531 | 3.1x |
| International Business | $57,829 | 3.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,874 | 3.0x |
| Food Science and Technology | $56,851 | 3.0x |
| Marketing | $55,671 | 3.0x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $55,153 | 2.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,098 | 2.9x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $52,823 | 2.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $52,344 | 2.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $47,435 | 2.5x |
| Animal Sciences | $46,801 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $46,522 | 2.5x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $46,235 | 2.5x |
| Social Work | $46,206 | 2.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $46,193 | 2.5x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $45,525 | 2.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $45,512 | 2.4x |
| Biology, General | $44,294 | 2.4x |
| Psychology, General | $44,022 | 2.3x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $42,858 | 2.3x |
| History | $41,432 | 2.2x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $41,161 | 2.2x |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $40,860 | 2.2x |
| Criminology | $40,745 | 2.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,899 | 2.1x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $38,575 | 2.0x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,340 | 2.0x |
| Public Health | $38,086 | 2.0x |
| Sociology | $37,825 | 2.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $37,592 | 2.0x |
| Chemistry | $37,403 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,752 | 1.8x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General(1yr data) | $30,891 | 1.6x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $27,972 | 1.5x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $26,380 | 1.4x |
| Nutrition Sciences(1yr data) | $23,211 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $20,949 | 1.1x |
| PhilosophyLowest(1yr data) | $20,354 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
California State University-Fresno stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $61,244 10 years after starting, $16,244 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.9 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.