Fresno, California
Trade Schools, Colleges & Universities

Costs

Your educational expenses will ultimately depend on factors like the type of program you take and the type of institution you attend. Below are the median tuition rates at four-year schools in Fresno, according to Data USA:

• Public schools: $5,742 (in-state); $17,622 (out-of-state)
• Private schools: $19,319

FAQs About Being a Student in Fresno

What are living costs like in Fresno?

While the cost of living is higher than the overall American average, food and health costs are actually a bit lower. And housing is a bargain by California standards: In the Fresno metro area, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $769 per month, compared to the statewide average of $1,358.

How's the transportation situation?

You generally won't spend a ton of time in traffic. The average commute time in Fresno is significantly lower than the U.S. average (21.6 minutes vs. 26.4 minutes).

In addition, the city is well served by a public transit system that features more than 100 buses on 16 different routes. And work is underway on a high-speed rail link that will connect Fresno with communities all over the state.

What is there to do outside of school?

Fresno is renowned as a foodie heaven, with restaurants, food trucks, and farmer's markets that feature fresh local produce throughout the year. Students can also enjoy arts festivals, museums, theaters, and galleries. Plus, the city is only a short distance from Yosemite, King's Canyon, and Sequoia national parks, where recreation options abound.

Fastest-Growing Industries in Fresno

Estimates from the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) show that in the 2016-to-2026 time period, the following sub-sectors should experience the fastest rates of growth in Fresno County:

Social assistance (28.7%): Throughout the region, there's a growing need for a huge range of different specialists to assist people who are dealing with unemployment, addiction, mental health issues, and more.

Waste management and remediation services (23.1%): This sector includes workers involved in collecting and sorting trash and recyclable materials as well as those who specialize in cleaning up contaminated soil, water, or buildings.

Ambulatory health care services (22.3%): As this important sector expands, opportunities will continue to multiply for a wide variety of health care professionals who deliver essential services outside of a hospital setting.

Specialty trade contractors (19.8%): Building, renovating, and repairing buildings and other structures is a booming industry in Fresno. Skilled tradespeople like carpenters and plumbers will likely see great demand for their services in the years ahead.

Nursing and residential care facilities (18.4%): As the population ages and more people require a higher level of care, workers with the right set of skills could fill a crucial need in Fresno.

Other Key Industries

The Fresno County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) says that some notable sectors powering Fresno's economy include:

Logistics: With a central location in the middle of California, Fresno is well-connected by highway and rail lines to large markets like Sacramento, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles. As companies take advantage of being able to offer next-day delivery to tens of millions of customers, job opportunities in this industry should grow.

Manufacturing: More than 27,000 people throughout Fresno County work in this emerging sector, according to the EDC. Employment grew by close to six percent between 2017 and 2018 alone.

Agriculture: Fresno is one of America's top counties for agricultural production. Every year, over $7 billion is generated through growing and harvesting fruits, vegetables, nuts, and more.

Information technology: More than 500 tech-related companies throughout the county specialize in areas as diverse as market research and farm management. And around 100 of those companies are located in the center of Fresno.

Fastest-Growing Careers

The occupations below are expected to see the highest rates of job growth in Fresno County between 2016 and 2026, according to EDD projections. Wage information is based on 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the county.

Physical therapist assistants (42.9%): Carry out the treatment plans of physical therapists by helping patients perform specific stretches and exercises to reduce pain and improve movement. You'll need an associate degree along with a state license.

• Average yearly wage: $65,750

Physician assistants (40%): Evaluate patients, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and provide other treatments, all under the supervision of a doctor. A master's degree and a state license are required.

• Average yearly wage: $122,870

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers (40%): Install steel bars in concrete forms in order to strengthen walls, posts, highways, bridges, and other structures. Training is usually done through an apprenticeship.

• Average yearly wage: $51,770

Personal care aides (38%): Make life easier for people with disabilities or other challenges by helping with basic tasks like bathing, dressing, cleaning, cooking, and shopping. You can get started in this field with just a high school diploma.

• Average yearly wage: $25,890

Physical therapist aides (36.4%): Perform a variety of tasks to help keep a physical therapy practice going, such as cleaning and stocking treatment areas, washing linens, and scheduling patient sessions. Most training is done on the job.

• Average yearly wage: $29,130

Good-Paying Careers With the Most Yearly Job Openings

With post-secondary training, you can be prepared to go after one of the hundreds of jobs that become available in Fresno each year—and that pay more than the average wage for the county. Here are a few of the top examples, based on EDD projections for 2016 to 2026 and BLS wage data from 2019.

Registered nurses (476 yearly openings): Play a pivotal role on the front lines of patient care. In order to get the required state license, you'll need to complete an associate or bachelor's degree program and pass a national exam.

• Average yearly wage: $105,880

General and operations managers (469 yearly openings): Guide an organization's progress by coordinating the people and activities within different departments. A bachelor's degree and a few years of relevant industry experience are usually required.

• Average yearly wage: $110,640

Elementary school teachers (285 yearly openings): Create lesson plans, evaluate student work, and coordinate activities like field trips, club meetings, or sports events. A bachelor's degree and a state teaching license are necessary in order to work in California's public schools.

• Average yearly wage: $80,970

Accountants and auditors (201 yearly openings): Maintain an organization's financial records and make sure all documentation is in line with government regulations. Most people in this occupation have bachelor's degrees.

• Average yearly wage: $67,000

Electricians (164 yearly openings): Install and service the electrical systems that provide essential power for homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, factories, and more. An apprenticeship is the usual route into this career.

• Average yearly wage: $61,380