About Fresno Pacific University
This Christian university in California's Central Valley draws 1,614 students who value faith-based education with strong community ties. Fresno Pacific University builds on its Mennonite Brethren heritage to create an environment where service and social justice matter as much as academics. The student body is 72% women and reflects California's diversity, with 62% Hispanic students making it a Hispanic-serving institution. Nearly all students come from within California, creating a tight-knit community in Fresno's urban setting.
The financial picture tells a compelling story about accessibility. While tuition runs $35,558, the average student pays just $14,317 after aid thanks to generous financial support. Nearly 59% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the university's commitment to serving first-generation and low-income families. Graduates earn a median of $58,896 ten years after leaving, making the typical debt load of $23,146 manageable with monthly payments around $245.
Small class sizes define the academic experience here. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and story. About 81% of students return for sophomore year, though graduation rates lag at 56% within six years. The Sunbirds compete in NCAA Division II athletics, offering 14 varsity sports that help build the campus community beyond academics.
The financial picture tells a compelling story about accessibility. While tuition runs $35,558, the average student pays just $14,317 after aid thanks to generous financial support. Nearly 59% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the university's commitment to serving first-generation and low-income families. Graduates earn a median of $58,896 ten years after leaving, making the typical debt load of $23,146 manageable with monthly payments around $245.
Small class sizes define the academic experience here. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and story. About 81% of students return for sophomore year, though graduation rates lag at 56% within six years. The Sunbirds compete in NCAA Division II athletics, offering 14 varsity sports that help build the campus community beyond academics.
Academics & Faculty
Fresno Pacific University operates as a Christian liberal arts institution with strong programs in education, nursing, and business. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment where professors know students personally. About 53% of students graduate in four years, reflecting the university's focus on practical, career-oriented education rather than traditional academic theory. The school has built a reputation for training teachers and healthcare professionals who serve California's Central Valley. Students benefit from small class sizes and mentorship opportunities that larger universities cannot provide. The Mennonite Brethren heritage emphasizes service learning and community engagement as core parts of the academic experience.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 53.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 55.9%
- Retention Rate
- 80.5%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,896
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $125,611 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $100,849 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $83,388 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $65,332 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $64,493 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $63,005 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $49,962 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $45,207 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $42,682 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $30,119 |
Campus Life
Fresno Pacific sits in California's Central Valley, about two hours from both San Francisco and Los Angeles. With housing capacity for just 371 students and total enrollment of 1,614, roughly 23% of students live on campus. The majority commute from the surrounding area, as 92% of students are California residents.
Expect hot, dry summers where sunscreen is essential and mild winters that rarely require heavy coats. The semester system gives students a traditional college rhythm. Women make up 72% of the student body, creating a female-majority environment. The 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio means small classes where professors know your name.
Weekend activities center around the tight-knit Christian community and Sunbirds athletics competing in NCAA Division II. With 336 total athletes across 14 varsity sports, games draw solid campus crowds. The Mennonite Brethren heritage shapes campus culture through service learning and social justice initiatives. Many students participate in community outreach in Fresno, a diverse city where 62% of FPU students share Hispanic heritage with the broader population.
Expect hot, dry summers where sunscreen is essential and mild winters that rarely require heavy coats. The semester system gives students a traditional college rhythm. Women make up 72% of the student body, creating a female-majority environment. The 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio means small classes where professors know your name.
Weekend activities center around the tight-knit Christian community and Sunbirds athletics competing in NCAA Division II. With 336 total athletes across 14 varsity sports, games draw solid campus crowds. The Mennonite Brethren heritage shapes campus culture through service learning and social justice initiatives. Many students participate in community outreach in Fresno, a diverse city where 62% of FPU students share Hispanic heritage with the broader population.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 371 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1944
Campus Safety (2023)
13 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dating Violence | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 38°–61°F
- July Avg
- 67°–101°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 11.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Fresno Pacific draws heavily from California's Central Valley, with over 90% of students coming from in-state. The student body is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting the university's commitment to serving the diverse agricultural region surrounding Fresno. Nearly three-quarters of students are women, largely due to strong programs in education, nursing, and social work that align with the Mennonite Brethren tradition of service. The high Pell Grant recipient rate shows the university fulfills its mission of making Christian higher education accessible to first-generation college students and working families in the valley.
- Men
- 28.3%
- Women
- 71.8%
- White
- 20.3%
- Black
- 5.4%
- Hispanic
- 61.5%
- Asian
- 5.0%
- In-State Students
- 92.3%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 58.7%
Location
Fresno Pacific University sits in California's Central Valley, about 200 miles southeast of San Francisco and 220 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The campus occupies 50 acres in Fresno, California's fifth-largest city with over 540,000 residents. This agricultural center anchors the San Joaquin Valley, surrounded by farmland that produces much of America's fruits and vegetables. The Sierra Nevada mountains rise to the east, offering hiking and skiing within a few hours' drive. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees, while winters stay mild. The university draws 92.31% of its students from within California. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Fresno Pacific University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Fresno, California 93702-4709
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $58,896
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $61,378
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $38,400
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 53.4%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $245/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $23,146
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Fresno Pacific University?
Fresno Pacific University accepts 75% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a Christian university. The school looks for students who align with its Mennonite Brethren values and mission of service.
How much does Fresno Pacific University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $14,317 annually, well below the $35,558 sticker price. Nearly 59% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's commitment to serving low-income families in California's Central Valley.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Fresno Pacific University?
The university maintains an 8:1 student-faculty ratio with just 1,614 total students. This small size allows for personalized attention and reflects the school's emphasis on close mentoring relationships.
What are typical earnings for Fresno Pacific University graduates?
Graduates earn a median of $58,896 ten years after graduation with median debt of $23,146. The 93.8% employment rate demonstrates strong career preparation, though the 55.9% six-year graduation rate suggests some students take longer to complete their degrees.
Where do most students at Fresno Pacific University come from?
About 92% of students are California residents, with 61.5% identifying as Hispanic. The student body is predominantly female at 71.75%, reflecting trends in Christian higher education and the university's strong education and nursing programs.
Does Fresno Pacific University have Division I athletics?
The Sunbirds compete in NCAA Division II as part of the Pacific West Conference with 14 varsity sports. The university awards $3.56 million in athletic scholarships to 336 student-athletes, emphasizing both competitive excellence and Christian character development.
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