California State University-Fresno

What are the graduation rates for students at California State University-Fresno?

The graduation outcomes at California State University-Fresno indicate a moderate performance relative to other institutions. The overall six-year graduation rate stands at 55%, positioning the university in the lower half nationally. This suggests that just over half of students complete their degrees within six years of enrollment.

Looking at gender-specific data, female students graduate at a slightly higher rate of 59%, whereas the rate for male students is lower at 48%. Both figures also place the university in the lower tiers when compared to national percentiles.

Early graduation benchmarks remain a challenge at California State University-Fresno. Only one quarter of students complete their programs within four years, a rate that ranks near the bottom 20% nationally. This may reflect the university's student demographics, academic rigor, or program structure.

Student retention appears stronger, with 78% of first-year students returning for the subsequent year. This retention metric ranks in the top 45% percentile, hinting at a level of student engagement and institutional support that could aid in eventual degree completion.

What is the earning potential for graduates at California State University-Fresno?

Graduates from California State University-Fresno experience a varied earning landscape depending on their chosen field of study. Among the highest earners are those who pursued degrees in engineering disciplines. For instance, Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates have median earnings of $69,361, while those in Computer Engineering and Construction Engineering Technologies earn $66,885 and $66,380 respectively. Civil Engineering graduates also fare well with annual earnings of $60,442. Mechanical Engineering alumni earn an estimated $55,516, making engineering programs among the most lucrative at this university.

Students focusing on Plant Sciences and Agricultural Business and Management can expect solid returns, with earnings around $53,293 and $48,985 respectively. The Food Science and Technology degree also offers competitive income at $48,012, closely followed by Industrial Production Technologies with $49,707. In contrast, fields such as Animal Sciences yield more modest annual salaries, averaging about $35,992.

Computer-related studies also provide promising financial prospects. Graduates with a degree in Computer Science earn approximately $41,405, slightly higher than the broader Computer and Information Sciences field at $36,953. Business-related degrees show earnings mostly in the $34,000 to $40,000 range, including Business Administration at $40,249, Human Resources Management at $40,294, Finance at $45,488, and Marketing at $34,392.

Those entering the health sector can benefit greatly, especially graduates from the Registered Nursing program, who report notably high earnings of $84,004 annually. Other health-related degrees, such as Health Services and Allied Health Professions, offer median salaries in the $33,000 to $37,000 range.

Graduates in the social sciences and humanities, including Political Science ($29,812), Criminology ($30,453), Criminal Justice ($29,175), and Sociology ($26,801), generally earn less but maintain respectable income levels relative to some liberal arts fields. For example, Communication and Media Studies graduates earn about $29,022, while degrees in Teacher Education see median incomes from $24,603 to $35,964 depending on specialization.

Fields in liberal arts and sciences tend to have lower earning potential. Degrees such as English Language and Literature average $21,508, Liberal Arts and Sciences about $20,210, and Fine and Studio Arts approximately $20,182. Even lower are earnings for graduates in Romance Languages with $23,389 and Mathematics near $23,239.