Enrollment: 128
Average GMAT: 601.00
GMAT Range (25-75%): 500-770
Average Undergrad GPA: 3.40
School Type: Public
Average Age: 30.00
Student Faculty Ratio: 20:1

Part Time Program: Yes
Evening Program: Yes
Executive MBA Program Offered: Yes
Total Faculty: 17

Out-of-State Tuition: $14,170.00
In-State Tuition: $8,000.00

Students Say - Academics
A "low price and high quality education" make the Craig MBA at California State University Fresno "a great value" for its predominantly regionally based student body. One MBA calls it "an amazing deal," explaining that "The cost of the program is extremely reasonable, course times are tailored to full-time working students, and the cost of living is low. For students with children and families, CSUF provides an excellent opportunity to complete the coursework while living at a high standard of living, sending their children to top-notch schools and not wasting hours commuting."
Craig has developed "a good overall MBA program" that provides "a solid foundation," students tell us. MBAs here benefit from "real-world business training" through "real-world case studies and projects" and "heavy involvement in the community. [The program is] very close to the community and many local businesses." Professors complement this aspect of the program; most "are either actively involved in research, consulting, or full-time management roles in the industries in which they teach. Many of the professors are frequently called upon by companies throughout the region for special consulting projects." The curriculum also provides "a solid ethical foundation" that students appreciate and "keeps up with current events in the business world and integrates them into the curriculum," another plus.
Craig offers both a conventional MBA (three-hour weekday evening sessions, Monday through Thursday) and a cohort-based Executive MBA (full-day sessions on Saturdays prefaced by several intensive Wednesday through Saturday foundation sessions at the start of the first term). In both, "Expectations for the classes are clear and teachers push students to reach these expectations." Instructors "are very demanding, expecting nothing but focus and excellence from the students," but "are also very personable and accommodating to assist students toward learning and excelling in the program." A few "come only slightly prepared and use textbook-provided PowerPoint presentations like a crutch," but students are pleased with the overall quality of instruction. Craig's busy students also appreciate that "the program is run like a well-operated business," with a staff that "takes care of the details, allowing the students to focus on school."

Students Say - Admissions
Applicants to the Craig MBA program must submit the following materials: official GMAT score report (minimum score of 550 with ranking at or above the first quartile on verbal and mathematics portions); a completed online application; two letters of recommendation; a statement of purpose/essay; and official transcripts for all post-secondary academic work. International non-English-speaking students who did not graduate from an English language institution must also submit an official TOEFL score report (minimum scores: 550 PBT; 213 CBT; 80 IBT). Admissions decisions are based primarily on GMAT scores and academic performance over the last 60 semester credits of undergraduate work; applicants must have earned at least a 2.5 GPA over that period to merit consideration. Work experience, demonstrated management potential, and the applicant's statement of purpose are also considered.

Students Say - Campus Life
The Craig MBA "is very well suited to full-time professionals" who "come to class straight from work at an 8 to 5 job," catering to their desire to get on and off campus with maximum benefit and minimum hassle. "Although strictly 'social' activities sponsored by the program are limited, evening and weekend group project work among students is frequent," so students do interact outside the classroom fairly regularly. For those so inclined, "There are many different organizations doing things on campus all the time: movies, meetings, discussions, etc." as well as "clubs for almost every interest" and "many activities [primarily] for MBA students."
Overall, however, "campus life is not great" at Fresno State, because "Most students live off campus, so the campus is dead on the weekends and after 7 P.M. Everyone also commutes by car because public transportation is horrible, just city buses with limited routes." As one student puts it, "The campus life is horrible outside of sports events, because no one has a reason to be on campus on the weekends or in the evenings. If they could improve this, the college experience at Fresno State would be equal to any other large high quality college."
Students in the Executive MBA program typically visit the campus on weekends only, and their extracurricular involvement in negligible. The program "is made up of students who live as far as 150 miles away. It is a diverse group of students who have excelled in other areas of their lives, especially in their careers. Students are professionals returning to gain Business academic resources to continue to further their careers or enter the world of being an entrepreneur." The conventional MBA program is also largely populated with busy professionals; "The majority hold full-time jobs and more than half are married. They are intelligent and focused on excelling in the program."

Students Say - Careers
Craig MBAs do not enjoy a dedicated Career Services Office. Instead, a university-wide office that serves both undergraduates and graduate students handles all MBA-related internship and placement services. The office provides a number of recruiting events and other support services, but few are designed to serve the unique needs of MBAs. An MBA Student Association offers additional services, organizing events that "connect MBA students with alumni, faculty, and local community, and business leaders" in order to "build a professional network and lay the foundation for friendships that will last a lifetime." Most Craig students are part-time students with full-time jobs (many attend at their employers' expense), reducing the need for MBA-specific career service.

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