Where We Come From 

The sun shone September 18, 1944, when 28 students and their teachers celebrated the opening of Pacific Bible Institute at 1095 N. Van Ness Ave., in Fresno. With a stanza of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” class began under the auspices of the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren (MB) Churches. Eight decades later, the impact of Fresno Pacific University is felt through more than 28,000 alumni, 95% of whom come from California—most from the Central Valley. 

By 1960, the school had moved to its present main campus, an old cotton field at the corner of Chestnut and Butler avenues, and become Pacific College (PC). Accreditation to offer bachelor’s degrees followed in 1965 and the first master’s program was approved in 1974, two years before PC became Fresno Pacific College. A milestone came in 1990 with the first bachelor’s degree completion (DC) classes to help adults with some college experience achieve their dream of a four-year degree while meeting work and family obligations. Degree completion spread to Visalia, Bakersfield and Merced, with campuses being established there and in North Fresno. 

Who We Are Today 

Today FPU offers traditional undergraduate, bachelor’s degree completion, graduate and seminary programs for students of various ages and stages of life. It’s over 100 areas of study connect each student’s untapped potential with opportunities for professional, personal and spiritual growth and offer an expert and supportive faculty. True to its mission to “develop students for leadership and service through excellence in Christian higher education,” the university nurtures the whole student, preparing them academically, professionally, ethically and spiritually for success after graduation and throughout life. 

Among other initiatives are enrollment partnerships with school districts to attract students, and internships and programs such as Teacher Residency Programs to move graduates into meaningful employment, often in Valley communities. 

Facilities improvements over the last five years have included the construction of Warkentine Culture and Arts Center, featuring the Elizabeth V Lyles Main Theater, a 400-seat performance space that can be converted to dining, and the Lin Family Performance Studio, a black-box theater for more intimate events. In athletics, the university track and field have been upgraded and the Dan Martin Stadium, a new baseball facility including seating, a concession stand and other amenities, is almost complete. 

Whether learning in class or performing in athletics or the arts, FPU students are the diverse face of the Central Valley. Of the nearly 2,900 new high school graduates, working professionals and adults returning to college at our five campuses, 52% of undergraduates come from families earning less than $40,000 a year, 63% of our traditional undergraduate students are the first in their families to attend college and 60% of all students identify as Hispanic. Students from all groups enjoy the same strong graduation rates. Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary educates ministers, church and parachurch leaders and marriage and family therapists. The university also has a growing number of online degrees and provides development courses to thousands of professionals across the country. 

In addition to its contribution to the region, Fresno Pacific University, as the school has been known since 1997, has attracted national attention. The Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly, U.S. News & World Report and Money all rate FPU highly, with The Journal ranking the university the nation’s number one private university in social mobility for its graduates and both U.S. News and Washington Monthly including FPU on their “Best Value” and “Best Bang for the Buck” lists. 

In 2025, FPU remains the San Joaquin Valley’s Christian university. Our emphasis on knowledge, faith and values helps our graduates explore the possibilities for themselves, their families and their communities.