Fresno Pacific admits 57.5% of applicants, meaning approximately 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places the university in the moderately selective category, more accessible than highly competitive institutions but maintaining academic standards for incoming students. The peer median admission rate of 75.6% indicates Fresno Pacific is moderately more selective than typical small private colleges, though still within the accessible range for well-prepared students.
This selectivity level means qualified applicants have reasonable admission chances, particularly those who demonstrate fit with the university's Christian mission and academic programs. Students should approach Fresno Pacific as a realistic option rather than a reach school, especially those with solid academic preparation. The admission rate suggests the university balances access with academic standards, making it appropriate for students seeking a supportive private college environment without the uncertainty of highly competitive admission processes. For students building college lists, Fresno Pacific represents a solid match school that combines accessibility with strong post-graduation outcomes.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Fresno Pacific enrolls a notably diverse student body that reflects the university's commitment to educational access. The university enrolls 58.7% Pell-eligible students, well above national averages and typical private college peers, indicating substantial enrollment of students from lower-income families. Additionally, 46.6% of students are first-generation college students, nearly double the national average and significantly higher than most private institutions.
The university also enrolls 61.8% transfer students, indicating substantial pathways for students beginning their college careers at community colleges or other institutions. This high transfer share reflects Fresno Pacific's role in providing bachelor's degree completion opportunities for diverse learners. The combination of high Pell eligibility, substantial first-generation enrollment, and significant transfer population indicates the university prioritizes access and degree completion for underserved student populations.
Given Fresno Pacific's 57.5% acceptance rate, most qualified applicants should view this as a match rather than reach school. However, students seeking alternatives should consider options with higher acceptance rates, better geographic positioning, or stronger outcomes at similar costs.
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First-generation students should feel welcome knowing that nearly half of enrolled students share their background. Lower-income students can take confidence in the substantial Pell-eligible population and strong financial aid support. Transfer students represent the majority enrollment, indicating established support systems for non-traditional college pathways.
Fresno Pacific demonstrates mixed outcomes for student retention and completion, with areas of both strength and opportunity for improvement. The university maintains an 80.5% freshman retention rate, slightly above the peer median of 74.0%, indicating solid first-year student support and engagement. However, the six-year graduation rate of 55.9% closely matches the peer median of 54.9%, suggesting room for improvement in degree completion support.
The completion gap between overall and Pell-eligible students reveals important equity considerations. Overall graduation reaches 55.9%, while Pell-eligible students graduate at 44.4%, creating an 11.5 percentage point gap. This gap indicates that lower-income students face additional challenges in degree completion, though the university's strong value-added earnings performance suggests those who do graduate achieve exceptional outcomes.
Students who gain admission should expect solid institutional support, particularly in their first year, as evidenced by above-average retention rates. However, prospective students should plan for potential challenges in completing their degrees within six years, especially those from lower-income backgrounds. The university's exceptional earnings beyond expectations for graduates suggests strong outcomes for students who persist to degree completion.
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