California State University, Fresno

California State University, Fresno, commonly referred to as Fresno State, is part of the 23-campus California State University system. It has about 24,000 students, including over 22,000 undergrads, in its eight schools and colleges. The 388-acre campus and its 1,000-acre farm are located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains in central California's San Joaquin Valley, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions. Students put their geographical advantage to good use; they operate the acclaimed Fresno State Winery. Fresno State considers itself one of the country's most diverse institutions of higher education – in fact, the school's motto is "Discovery. Diversity. Distinction." Its undergraduate population is nearly half Hispanic, and a significant portion of Bulldogs are first-generation college students. Sixty-three percent of students graduate within six years, a rate that Money finds is 13% higher than expected of schools with comparable student bodies. One of Fresno State's time-honored traditions is Vintage Days, a celebration where students and guests gather for games, beer, concerts, pony rides, wing-eating contests and more. Year-round entertainment can be found at Bulldog Bowl, which has 12 bowling lanes that offer "the cleanest and cheapest game in town."