California State University, Fresno facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
California State University, Fresno

Former name	Fresno State Normal School (1911–1949) Fresno State College (1949–1972)
Motto	Lucem Accipe Ut Reddas (Latin)
Motto in English	"Receive the light that you may give it forth"
Type	Public research university
Established	1911; 114 years ago (1911)
Parent institution	California State University
Accreditation	WSCUC
Academic affiliation	USU
Endowment	$254.8 million (2023–24)
Budget	$389.7 million (2024–25)
President	Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval
Academic staff	1,507 (fall 203)
Students	24,310 (fall 2024)
Undergraduates	21,852 (fall 2024)
Postgraduates	2,458 (fall 2024)
Location	Fresno, California , United States
Campus	Large city, 388 acres (157 ha) and 1,011 acres (409 ha) University Farm
Other campuses	Visalia
Newspaper	The Collegian
Colors	Cardinal red and blue
Nickname	Bulldogs
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I FBS – Mountain West Big 12 MPSF GCC NCEA
Mascot	Victor E. Bulldog

California State University, Fresno, often called Fresno State, is a public university located in Fresno, California. It is part of the larger California State University system. In fall 2020, over 25,000 students attended the university.

Fresno State offers many different study programs. Students can choose from 60 bachelor's degrees, 45 master's degrees, and 3 doctoral degrees. The university is known for its research activities. It is also recognized as a place that serves Hispanic and Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander students.

The university has some cool features on campus. There's a planetarium where you can learn about space. They also have raisin and wine grape vineyards. Students even make their own wine at a commercial winery on campus. These student-made wines have won over 300 awards!

If you're into horses, Fresno State has a nationally ranked equestrian team. Team members can even keep their horses right on campus. The university also has a large Student Recreation Center and one of the biggest libraries in the California State University system.

History of Fresno State

California State University, Fresno started in 1911. It was first called the Fresno State Normal School. A "normal school" was a special type of school that trained teachers. Charles Lourie McLane was its first president.

The Old Administration Building, Fresno State's first permanent building (now part of Fresno City College)

The first campus was located where Fresno City College is today. In 1956, Fresno State moved to its current location. The old campus was then bought by Fresno City College.

The school's name changed over the years. In 1949, it became Fresno State College when it started offering bachelor's degrees. In 1961, it joined the State College System of California. This system later became the California State University System. Finally, in 1972, the name officially changed to California State University, Fresno.

Even with the long official name, most people call it "Fresno State." This is especially true for sports teams. The university now suggests using "Fresno State" for most everyday talks.

Exploring the Campus

The Fresno State campus is quite large. It stretches from Valley Children's Stadium on the west side to Highway 168 on the east. The University Agricultural Laboratory marks the northern edge. Shaw Avenue is the southern boundary.

The Fresno State Library

Fresno State Library

The Fresno State Library is a huge place for learning and research. It helps students and teachers find information.

The library opened in 2009. It holds over 1,000,000 books! The building is very big, covering more than 327,000 square feet. Its shelves stretch for over 20 miles. It is the third-largest library in the CSU system. It's also the biggest academic building on the Fresno State campus.

This five-story building has seating for almost 4,000 people. It offers group study rooms and wireless internet. There's even a Starbucks inside for a quick snack or drink.

The library also has special collections. One is the Arne Nixon Center. This center focuses on children's and young adult literature. Another is the Central Valley Political Archive.

What Students Learn: Academics

Fresno State was the first of all 23 California State University campuses to offer its own doctoral degree. At the graduate level, it has many highly-rated programs. These include Physical Therapy, Nursing, and Social Work.

In May 2019, Fresno State had its largest graduating class ever. Over 6,200 students earned their degrees that year.

University Accreditation

Science 2 Building

California State University, Fresno is officially approved by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. This means the university meets high standards for education.

Many of its specific programs also have special approvals. For example, the engineering programs are approved by ABET. The business school is approved by AACSB. The university is also recognized for serving a large number of Hispanic and Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander students.

Colleges and Schools at Fresno State

Student Union

Fresno State is divided into different colleges and schools. Each one focuses on a specific area of study:

• Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (for farming and related sciences)
• College of Arts and Humanities (for subjects like art, music, history, and literature)
• Craig School of Business (for business and management)
• Kremen School of Education and Human Development (for teaching and human development)
• Lyles College of Engineering (for different types of engineering)
• College of Health and Human Services (for health-related fields)
• College of Science and Mathematics (for science and math)
• College of Social Sciences (for subjects like psychology, sociology, and political science)

Smittcamp Family Honors College

The Smittcamp Family Honors College is a special program for top high school students. It offers a full scholarship that covers tuition and housing. Students in this program get many benefits.

To join, students need excellent grades. They also need to rank high in their high school class or have good test scores. Honors Scholars must take challenging classes and do community service. They also get to register for classes first and meet the university president.

University Rankings

Fresno State is often recognized as one of the best universities. Here are some of its rankings:

• In 2022, U.S. News & World Report ranked Fresno State among the top national universities. It was also ranked highly among "Top Public Schools."
• The same report ranked Fresno State very high for "Social Mobility." This means it helps students from all backgrounds succeed. It was also ranked for its "Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs."
• Money magazine ranked Fresno State as one of the "Best Colleges for Your Money." It was also listed among the top public schools in the U.S.
• In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Fresno State very high on its National Universities list. This magazine looks at how well schools help students, do research, and promote public service.
• In 2025, Forbes magazine included Fresno State in its "America's Top Colleges" list. It was also ranked among the top public colleges and top colleges in the western U.S.
• In 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked Fresno State first in the nation for its graduation rate performance among public universities.

Student Life at Fresno State

Student Involvement Center

The Student Involvement Center helps students get involved in campus life. They offer programs and activities outside of classes. They also plan big events like Convocation, Homecoming Week, and Commencement (graduation).

Fraternity and Sorority Life

Fraternities and sororities have been a part of Fresno State for almost 100 years. There are 42 different groups with over 1,420 students. The Student Involvement Center helps guide these groups.

Associated Students, Inc. (ASI)

ASI is the student government at Fresno State. Each year, twenty students are elected to represent their peers. ASI helps fund student projects on campus. They also provide grants for student research.

Student Recreation Center

Downing Planetarium

The campus on a foggy morning

The Student Recreation Center opened in 2006. Students pay a fee each semester to help cover its costs. This center is next to the Save Mart Center arena. It has four basketball courts, dance studios, and fitness areas.

University Student Union

The original student union building opened in 1968. It was built for a student body of 10,000 students. The building is 52,000 square feet and has three levels. It's a central place for students to gather.

Sports at Fresno State: Athletics

Save Mart Center, home to the Fresno State basketball team

Bulldog Stadium, home to the Fresno State football team

Fresno State is part of the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference. The university's sports teams are called the Bulldogs. Their colors are cardinal red and blue. The Bulldogs have done very well in many sports. These include basketball, football, soccer, tennis, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

In 2017, Fresno State brought back its wrestling program. It had been gone for 11 years. They joined the Big 12 Conference for wrestling. In 2019, they added equestrianism (horse riding) to their Big 12 membership. However, at the end of the 2020–21 school year, Fresno State stopped three sports: women's lacrosse, men's tennis, and wrestling again. The equestrian program is still part of the Big 12.

The Fresno State–San Diego State football rivalry is a big football game. It's played between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the San Diego State Aztecs. The winner gets the "Old Oil Can" trophy.

Fresno State has won national championships:

• NCAA Division I National Champions in baseball in 2008.
• NCAA Division I National Champions in softball in 1998.

News and Media

FresnoStateNews is an online source for news about the university. It covers events for students, teachers, and staff.

The FresnoState Magazine is published twice a year. It's available in print and online. It features current events at Fresno State and achievements of former students.

The Collegian is the student-run newspaper on campus. It's published during the fall and spring semesters. The online version includes videos, podcasts, and photo galleries.

KFSR Radio is the campus radio station. It broadcasts at 90.7 FM and online. It plays jazz, blues, and other special shows. It operates 24 hours a day.

Fresno State Focus is a weekly broadcast run by students. The news team changes each semester. They have worked on many projects beyond the campus.

ROTC Programs

Fresno State offers two military programs: Army and Air Force ROTC.

• The Army unit on campus is called the Bulldog Battalion.
• The Air Force ROTC Detachment 35 is one of the oldest in the country. It started in 1948. This detachment has won many awards. In 2008, it was named the top mid-sized detachment in the southwest U.S. A few months later, it was named the best mid-sized detachment in the nation.

Famous Former Students: Alumni

Many notable people have graduated from Fresno State. They have become important in government, sports, business, and media. Some examples include:

• Paul George, a famous basketball player.
• Joy Covey, who was the first Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Amazon.com.

Images for kids

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  Rick Husband, an American astronaut and former fighter pilot

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  Timothy P. White, the seventh chancellor of the California State University system

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  Kenny Guinn, a former American businessman and former governor of Nevada

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  Cruz Bustamante, a former American politician

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  Ashley Swearengin, former mayor of Fresno

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  Lee P. Brown, an American criminologist and politician

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  Jim Nielsen, currently serving in the California State Senate

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  Jim Costa, an American politician

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  Gary Soto, a poet and novelist

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  Devon Mathis, a member of the California State Assembly

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  David Carr, a former professional football player

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  Davante Adams, a professional football player

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  Derek Carr, a professional football player

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  Trent Dilfer, a professional football player and analyst

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  Aaron Judge, a professional baseball player

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  Ryan Mathews, a professional football player

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  Lane Kiffin, a professional football coach