FPU at a Glance | Fresno Pacific University

Quick facts

Sunbird Student Body Statistics

Rich and engaging history dating back to 1944
A proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) where Hispanic and first-generation students graduate at the same rate as students overall
Highest four-year graduation rate in the region
Ranked in the top tier in our category by U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly and Money
Ranked high among colleges that help their graduates by The Wall Street Journal and U.S. News
Considered a best value by U.S. News and Washington Monthly

All programs emphasize values, ethics and character development
Pastors, biblical scholars and marriage and family therapists prepared for service through the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary
Community outreach efforts facilitated through the Center for Community Transformation
Faculty and staff demonstrate a personal commitment to Christ

Nearly 3,000 traditional-age undergraduate, adult degree completion and graduate students
Most students are the first in their families to attend college
More than 8,000 education and business professionals taking continuing education courses
Main campus in Southeast Fresno with regional campuses in North Fresno and Visalia, as well as additional partner sites in Bakersfield, Merced, Reedley and Firegbaugh
Known for Sunbird Athletic teams that compete in 17 sports and have won 15 national championships

Four-year graduation guarantee for traditional undergraduates
Education graduates are sought out by school districts as first-choice teachers
Students prepared for careers in business, criminology, medicine, nursing, psychology, science, social work and other professional fields
High percentage of internships turn into jobs

Best Value
- WSJ Ranked FPU number 6 in the state of California for private universities in its 2025 Best Value category.
- FPU was ranked number 49 in the nation for private universities in its 2025 Best Value Category.
  - This makes FPU the number one university among the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) in this category.
Social Mobility
- FPU was ranked number 23 in the nation for social mobility.
  - This makes FPU the highest-rated private school in the Western United States in this category.

Lists FPU number 58 nationally in its Master’s University category and number 45 in its Western category as a Best Bang for the Buck school.
- This makes FPU the highest CCCU school in this category.

Ranked Fresno Pacific University number 46 overall in the Master’s Universities—West category.
FPU was also ranked number 17 in its Best Value category.

Gave FPU 5 stars in its rating system, which ranges from 2.5-5.
- This makes FPU the only Christian college or university in the Western United States to get this top rating.
Ranked schools were judged in three categories:
- Quality of education—graduation rates, instructor access and outcomes for Pell Grant recipients.
- Affordability—net price of a degree, net price paid, debt and ability to repay debt.
- Outcomes—earnings 10 years after college entry and economic mobility.

More than 96% of FPU students come from California.
Some 2,011 FPU students are enrolled in bachelor’s degree completion and master’s degree programs in business, organizational leadership, nursing, education and ministry.
- These programs serve the very California counties with the state’s lowest rate of attainment of a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Degree completion students live and work near the campus where they attend classes, and stay in and serve the region, entering or advancing in their profession and contributing more to their local communities.

57% of our traditional undergraduate students are the first in their families to attend college or university.
Our retention rate of undergraduate students from first year to second is 75% overall. *
FPU is a Hispanic serving institution with 63% of our students identifying as Hispanic.*

Special academic scholarships are offered to transfers.
Enrollment Express events offer community college students the chance to register for FPU in one day and at one place.
The university has built partnerships with Fresno City College, Reedley College, Bakersfield College, and Coalinga College-Firebaugh Center and is expanding its influence with other community colleges to welcome their students.

46% of undergraduates come from families who earn $40,000 or less annually.
The median debt among undergraduates is $23,146, well under the national average of $29,890.*
Our student default rate is 4%; less than the national average of 6.24%.
88.6% of our students—98% of undergraduates—receive financial aid.
For an average actual cost, after public and private financial aid, of $14,317 per year, attendees earn an average of $58,896 within 10 years. (Better than the midpoint annual cost of $19,740 and midpoint earnings of $53,727.)*