ӣƵ

ӣƵ at a Glance

Quick Facts

Sunbird Student Body Statistics

Academically Rigorous

  • 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

Unquestionably Christian

  • 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

Diverse Student Body

  • 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, Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced 
  • Known for Sunbird Athletic teams that compete in 16 sports and have won 15 national championships

Outstanding Faculty

  • More than 80 percent hold the highest degree in their field 
  • Small class sizes encourage student/faculty relationships
  • Faculty are active in their professional field and dedicated to student success

Degrees That Result in Jobs

  • 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

Is Respected

The Wall Street Journal

  • Places ӣƵ at number 78 on its 2024 Best U.S. Colleges list. Among Christian schools, the university’s overall score is second in California and in the top 10 nationally. 
  • WSJ ranks student outcomes ahead of institutional wealth and national reputation, highlighting the value each school provides to its students. The overall score is broken into four subcategories: 
    • Social Mobility—ӣƵ number 1
      Schools that accept a high proportion of students from lower-income families, maintain high graduation rates and minimize the costs of attending.
    • Student Experience—ӣƵ number 42 
      Students have the best experience according to surveys of students and graduates.
    • Salary Impact—ӣƵ number 128
      Schools are listed by how graduates’ salaries relates to the actual cost of attendance.

Washington Monthly

  • Lists ӣƵ number 48 nationally in its Master’s University category and number 18 in its Western category as a Best Bang for the Buck school.    
  • WM evaluates universities according to the public good in the areas of social mobility, research and community and national service. The Best Bang for the Buck list uses social mobility to rank schools that “help non-wealthy students obtain marketable degrees at affordable prices,” according to its college guide website.

U.S. News & World Report

  • Ranks ӣƵ number 41 overall in the Master’s Universities—West category. Among these schools ӣƵ is fourth in social mobility and number 12 among best values.

Money

  • Gave ӣƵ 4.5 stars in its rating system, which ranges from 2.5-5. For its Best Colleges. 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.

Is a Strength to California and the Central Valley

  • More than 95% of ӣƵ students come from California.
  • ӣƵ has the region’s highest graduation rates, with 66% of students completing their degree in four years and 67% in six years. The national four-year average is 42%, and the national six-year rate is 65%.
  • 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.

Provides a High-Quality Education to a Variety of Students

  • 59% 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 71% overall. *
  • ӣƵ is a Hispanic serving institution with 59% of our students identifying as Hispanic.*
  • Both first-generation and Hispanic students graduate at the same rate as students overall.

Reaches Out to Community College and Other Transfer Students

  • A two-year graduation guarantee is available to qualified transfer students.
  • Special academic scholarships are offered to transfers.
  • Enrollment Express events offer community college students the chance to register for ӣƵ in one day and at one place.
  • The university has built partnerships with area community colleges to welcome their students.

Is Affordable and Accessible for Students

  • 52% 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 $37,172.*
  • Our student default rate is 4%; less than the national average of 10.8%. 
  • 87% of our students—94% of undergraduates—receive financial aid.
  • For an average actual cost, after public and private financial aid, of $11,531 per year, attendees earn an average of $55,044 within 10 years. (Better than the midpoint annual cost of $18,902 and midpoint earnings of $50,391.)*

Makes Success Possible for Students, Communities and Professions in California

  • 61% of first-generation traditional undergraduates have Cal Grants. 
  • ӣƵ gives students more than $15M in institutional aid.

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