Fresno State’s 2026 graduates will come together with family and friends to celebrate the completion of their degrees and their ability to adapt, innovate and move forward amid economic uncertainty, global disruptions and the evolution of technology.
This year, Fresno State will celebrate about 6,166 graduating students at the Save Mart Center with ceremonies all day Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16.
These class of 2026 estimates are pending final certification of spring degrees.
“Fresno State celebrates the class of 2026 — a group defined by resilience, curiosity and a steadfast commitment to forging a better future. Their journeys reflect not only academic achievement, but a deep sense of purpose and the courage to turn ambition into action. We are proud to honor these graduates and the remarkable potential they carry forward. Each one of them represents a powerful force for progress, equipped with the vision and determination to strengthen our communities and drive meaningful change in the Valley and beyond.”
Fresno State President Saúl Jimenez-Sandoval
Jiménez-Sandoval will preside over the ceremonies for each of the university’s eight schools and colleges. Two students selected from the undergraduate and graduate deans’ medalists — the President’s Undergraduate Medalist and the President’s Graduate Medalist — will receive the university’s top academic honors at their school or college ceremonies. These two recipients will be announced at the President’s Recognition Reception on Thursday, May 14.
Seven faculty members and two staff members will also be honored with the Provost’s Awards, which recognize outstanding teaching, research and service. Dr. Matthew Jendian, a sociology professor, was selected for the university’s 2026 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Fresno State will award honorary doctorates to three individuals this year — business leaders Joshua Easterly and Jeetander P Sethi, and civic and economic development leader Ashley Swearengin.
College and school ceremonies will take place at the Save Mart Center and will be livestreamed on the Fresno State commencement webpage. Degrees are conferred at the college commencement ceremonies:
Friday, May 15:
- Craig School of Business, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
- College of Social Sciences, 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- College of Science and Mathematics, 1:15 to 3:15 p.m.
- Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, 4:15 to 5:30 p.m.
- Kremen School of Education and Human Development, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16:
- Lyles College of Engineering, 8 to 9 a.m.
- College of Arts and Humanities, 10 to 11:30 a.m..
- College of Health and Human Services, 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Commencement weekend also includes several affinity celebrations, including the Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration, now in its 50th year with about 1,130 graduates participating — the largest group in the history of the ceremony. The annual attendance averages over 13,000. Here is the schedule for the affinity celebrations on Saturday, May 16:
- American Indian Graduation Honoring and Celebration, 2 p.m., The Ruiz (Resnick Student Union, first floor).
- African American Student Recognition Ceremony, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Student Recreation Center, East Gym.
- International Convocation, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Satellite Student Union.
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Graduation Celebration, 4:15 to 5:15 p.m., Student Recreation Center, East Gym.
- Rainbow Graduation Celebration, 5 to 6 p.m., Student Recreation Center, Peters Education Center.
- Chicano/Latino Commencement Celebration, 7 to 10 p.m., Save Mart Center.
Answers to frequently asked questions about commencement can be found here.
CLASS OF 2026 BY THE NUMBERS
Fresno State’s class of 2026 consists of:
- 5,296 students who received a degree in summer or fall 2025, or are pending final review in spring 2026 for their baccalaureate degrees.
- 870 who received a degree in summer or fall 2025, or are pending final review in spring 2026 for their post-baccalaureate degrees.
The doctoral cohorts and candidate breakdowns are:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), two awarded and 28 pending.
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), five awarded and 22 pending.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), two pending.
About 68% of the graduating students in the class of 2026 are first-generation students whose parents do not have bachelor’s degrees, while many others continue a proud family legacy of being second- or third-generation Bulldogs.
By sheer numbers of the 2026 graduating class, the College of Science and Mathematics is the largest with 1,085 graduates, followed by the College of Social Sciences (994), College of Health and Human Services (979), Craig School of Business (874) and Kremen School of Education and Human Development (754).
The following areas are the top five majors of students in the 2026 graduating class:
- Psychology (480).
- Liberal studies (303).
- Criminology-law enforcement (219).
- Business administration-accountancy (168).
- Biology (169).
Additional details and updates when they become available can be found on the Fresno State commencement webpage.
Guests are encouraged to review the Save Mart Center visitor entry requirements in advance. Only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12-inch by 6-inch by 12-inch will be allowed at Save Mart Center. Small clutch bags, 4.5-inch by 6.5-inch by 2-inch, can be taken into the arena in addition to one of the approved clear bags. An exception will be made for any necessary medical items, but such items are subject to inspection.
Guests who need accessibility accommodations should visit the Save Mart Center accessibility webpage for information on available resources.
The commencement website will have the latest communications and updates.
