California State University, Fresno
California State University, Fresno is a public university in California's Central Valley serving nearly 24,000 students across eight schools and colleges with undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, NCAA Division I athletics, and regional research and workforce-development partnerships.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1911
- HeadquartersFresno, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What California State University, Fresno does
California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) is a public university within the California State University system, founded in 1911 and headquartered on a 1,000+ acre campus in Fresno, California. The institution serves nearly 24,000 students through eight schools and colleges offering undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and doctoral degree programs, with an emphasis on hands-on learning, small class sizes, and regional workforce development in California's Central Valley. Fresno State operates 18 NCAA Division I varsity athletic teams, maintains a 365,000-square-foot central library, a campus farm, the Resnick Student Union, and the Kennel Bookstore, and was ranked No. 2 among universities nationwide in the Washington Monthly 2025 rankings while receiving the longest-possible 10-year WSCUC accreditation reaffirmation.
Revenue is generated through a diversified public-university model spanning tuition and educational services, state appropriations, federal and state grants (including a $11 million USDA Dairy Business Innovation Initiative grant awarded in January 2026 as one of four regional hubs), corporate sponsorships and multimedia rights now managed in-house via Bulldog Sports Enterprises (BSE), philanthropic donations (a record $38.85 million raised in fiscal year 2024-25 via the "Lead with Pride" campaign), campus dining operations including a newly opened Dunkin' franchise, and bookstore/merchandise sales. The institution serves multiple customer segments: prospective and current undergraduate students (80% receiving financial aid), graduate students, a 300,000+ alumni network, athletics fans, and small/mid-sized regional dairy businesses supported through the USDA hub. Technology infrastructure centers on the Canvas LMS for online and hybrid course delivery alongside standard student information, library, and research systems; the university has no proprietary technology product, app, or disclosed AI capabilities, though positioning around the NSF AI Education Act of 2025 signals potential entry into AI workforce development for underserved Central Valley populations.
California State University, Fresno firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- California State University, Fresno
- Legal name
- California State University, Fresno
- Website
- https://csufresno.edu
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1911
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- California State University, Fresno is a public university in California's Central Valley serving nearly 24,000 students across eight schools and colleges with undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, NCAA Division I athletics, and regional research and workforce-development partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
California State University, Fresno industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Intercollegiate Athletics (Varsity Sports Programs) (EDALAIAA)
Keywords
Where California State University, Fresno is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fresno
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
California State University, Fresno business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Tuition and Educational Services: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, fees, and educational services provided to enrolled students.
- Multimedia Rights and Corporate Sponsorships: Revenue from multimedia rights and corporate sponsorship deals managed through Bulldog Sports Enterprises (BSE), replacing the previous Learfield outsourcing arrangement.
- Philanthropic Donations and Fundraising: Revenue from donor contributions and campaign fundraising efforts, including the 'Lead with Pride' campaign. Record fundraising of $38.85 million in 2024-25.
- Grant Funding: Federal and state grant funding including USDA Dairy Business Innovation Initiative grants to support regional dairy industry innovation and technical assistance.
- Campus Dining Services: Revenue from campus dining operations including the Dunkin' franchise location operated by University Dining Services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
California State University, Fresno product offering
Product offeringCore offering
California State University, Fresno is a public university that delivers undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and doctoral degree programs across eight schools and colleges, complemented by 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams and student support services such as the library, residence halls, dining, and the Resnick Student Union. It serves nearly 24,000 students on its Fresno campus and through Canvas-based online and hybrid courses.
Product overview
California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) is a public university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs across eight schools and colleges. The institution operates 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams and provides student support services including housing, dining, and campus facilities. Fresno State has established Bulldog Sports Enterprises (BSE) as an in-house agency for multimedia rights management, replacing its prior outsourcing arrangement with Learfield. The university also operates the 'Lead With Pride' fundraising campaign to support academic and athletic initiatives, following record fundraising of $38.85 million in 2024-25.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Academic Degree Programs
- Fresno State Athletics
- Student Support Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% of undergraduate students receive financial aid
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use California State University, Fresno
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
California State University, Fresno technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
California State University, Fresno partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bulldog Sports Enterprises (BSE)coreFresno State established Bulldog Sports Enterprises (BSE), an in-house agency to manage multimedia rights and corporate sponsorships, replacing the previous outsourcing arrangement with Learfield. The new model allows the school to retain control of its intellectual property and brand assets, enabling more flexible local partnerships that directly benefit student athletes.
- LearfieldminorLearfield was the previous multimedia rights partner that Fresno State replaced by creating its own in-house agency (Bulldog Sports Enterprises). The outsourcing arrangement was ended to enable greater control over brand assets.
- Dunkin' DonutsminorFranchise partnership to open Dunkin' Donuts location on campus at the University Center. The franchise will be operated by University Dining Services and plans to employ 25-35 students. First location in the Fresno-Clovis area.
- Congressman Vince FongminorCongressman Vince Fong introduced the NSF AI Education Act of 2025, with Fresno State's regional presence potentially positioning it for AI workforce development initiatives, especially for underserved areas in the Central Valley.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
California State University, Fresno competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- California State University, Long Beach: Larger CSU system peer known for comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs, NCAA Division I athletics, and similarly diverse student demographics, providing scale-based benchmarking for enrollment, fundraising, and athletics revenue.
- California State University, Fullerton: CSU system peer of comparable comprehensive scale and NCAA Division I athletics, with similar student demographic mix and reliance on tuition and state appropriations, plus comparable fundraising profile.
- San Jose State University: CSU system peer with comprehensive programs, NCAA Division I athletics, and a comparable footprint in a major California metropolitan area, with similar public funding and donor dynamics.
- Cal Poly Pomona: CSU system peer with an applied/polytechnic emphasis, NCAA Division II athletics, and similar comprehensive program mix, providing relevant benchmarking on student outcomes and regional industry partnerships.
- California State University, Sacramento: Same CSU system peer of comparable enrollment scale, offering comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple schools, with NCAA Division I athletics and similar public university funding dynamics.
- California State University, Northridge: CSU system peer serving a similarly diverse, urban-serving student body with comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs and NCAA Division I athletics, comparable in scale and operational profile.
- San Diego State University: Larger CSU system peer with strong NCAA Division I athletics, comprehensive academic offerings, and a similarly accomplished alumni network, providing a relevant benchmark for fundraising, athletics, and multimedia rights economics.
- California State University, San Bernardino: CSU peer with similar enrollment size and comprehensive program mix, serving a diverse, largely commuter student population with NCAA Division II (recently transitioning) athletics and analogous public funding constraints.
- California State University, Bakersfield: Closest geographic peer within the CSU system, also located in the Central Valley with a comparable mix of comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs and NCAA Division I athletics, serving a similar demographic base.
Regional players
- University of California, Davis: Regional public research university peer with strong agricultural, veterinary, and engineering programs headquartered adjacent to the Central Valley, competing for similar students, faculty, and federal research funding.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
California State University, Fresno social profiles
Digital presenceCalifornia State University, Fresno financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
California State University, Fresno leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
California State University, Fresno subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
California State University, Fresno funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
California State University, Fresno M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about California State University, Fresno
What does California State University, Fresno do?
California State University, Fresno is a public university that delivers undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and doctoral degree programs across eight schools and colleges, complemented by 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams and student support services such as the library, residence halls, dining, and the Resnick Student Union. It serves nearly 24,000 students on its Fresno campus and through Canvas-based online and hybrid courses.
Is California State University, Fresno a public or private company?
California State University, Fresno is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was California State University, Fresno founded?
California State University, Fresno was founded in 1911. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is California State University, Fresno based?
California State University, Fresno is headquartered in Fresno, United States, in the North America region.
How does California State University, Fresno make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Educational Services are the primary driver. The others are multimedia Rights and Corporate Sponsorships, philanthropic Donations and Fundraising, grant Funding and campus Dining Services.
Who are California State University, Fresno's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are California State University, Long Beach, California State University, Fullerton, San Jose State University, Cal Poly Pomona, California State University, Sacramento, California State University, Northridge, San Diego State University, California State University, San Bernardino and California State University, Bakersfield. University of California, Davis is listed as a regional player.
Does California State University, Fresno have an API?
No public API is recorded for California State University, Fresno.
What industry is California State University, Fresno in?
California State University, Fresno's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAI, Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems, with a secondary code of EDALAIAA, Intercollegiate Athletics (Varsity Sports Programs). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.