Academic Comparison between La Sierra and Fresno State

La Sierra University and California State University-San Marcos are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. La Sierra is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Riverside, CA and Fresno State is a four-year, public school located in San Marcos, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • La Sierra is a private (not-for-profit) and Fresno State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • La Sierra has more expensive tuition & fees ($37,710) than Fresno State ($20,682).
  • It is harder to admit to La Sierra than Fresno State.
  • Fresno State has more students with 16,237 students while La Sierra has 1,574 students.
  • La Sierra has a lower number of students per faculty with 12 to 1 while Fresno State's ratio is 24 to 1.
  • Fresno State has more full-time faculties with 416 faculties while La Sierra has 91 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

La Sierra Universityvs.California State University-San Marcos
Riverside, CaliforniaLocationSan Marcos, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$37,7102025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$8,082
Out-Of-State$20,682
93%% Receiving Financial Aid63%
$22,678Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,025
91.50 %Acceptance Rates95.10 %
13.28 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.99 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
60 %Graduation Rate55 %
3 %Transfer-out Rate4 %
77 %Retention Rate79 %
1,574Student Population16,237
91Number of Faculties416
12 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio24 to 1
Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare