California State University-Sacramento

93.2%Acceptance

$7,602Tuition

27,867Students

56%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$64,876Earnings

Public4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindNCAA Division IStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About California State University-Sacramento

California State University-Sacramento builds careers for the state capital's workforce. The university enrolls 27,867 students in a large city setting where government, business, and healthcare drive the economy. Notable graduates include actor Tom Hanks and author Amy Tan. The school's criminal justice and business programs feed directly into Sacramento's job market. With a 93.21% acceptance rate, Sac State welcomes students who are ready to work toward practical degrees.

Students pay an average net price of $10,512, making this one of California's most affordable four-year options. Graduates earn a median of $64,876 ten years after starting college. The typical monthly loan payment sits at just $159, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education accessible. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families well.

The student body is 38.62% Hispanic and 20.87% Asian, reflecting California's diversity. With 98.01% of students from in-state, this feels like a true California institution. The 21:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes, but the 81.07% retention rate shows students stick around. Sac State delivers practical education without the prestige price tag.

Academics & Faculty

Sacramento State functions as a full public university serving California's capital region with practical, career-focused programs. The school built its reputation around strong business and criminal justice programs that connect directly to government and private sector opportunities in Sacramento. With a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, students get reasonable access to professors despite the university's size of 27,867 students. The 55.8% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working students face, as this is largely a commuter campus where students often balance jobs with coursework. Academic programs emphasize real-world application over research, preparing graduates for immediate employment in fields like public administration, education, and business throughout Northern California.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Full-Time Faculty: 47.1%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 55.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 55.8%
Retention Rate: 81.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $64,876
Carnegie Classification: Master's University (Large)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$108,495
Educational Administration and Supervision.	Doctoral	$106,421
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$90,412
Construction Engineering.	Bachelor	$80,779
Civil Engineering.	Master	$80,022
Mechanical Engineering.	Master	$78,343
Computer Engineering.	Bachelor	$78,343
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions.	Doctoral	$76,460
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Master	$73,739
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.	Bachelor	$70,596

View all 118 programs →

Campus Life

Sacramento State sits in California's capital city, making it a commuter campus where only 12% of students live in the university's 3,280 housing spots. The 300-acre campus features red brick buildings and plenty of parking lots to accommodate the 98% of students who come from California. Sacramento's Mediterranean climate means you'll need sunscreen more than winter coats, with mild winters and hot, dry summers reaching into the triple digits.

Most Hornets head home or to jobs on weekends since this is largely a working student population. The American River runs along campus, providing green space for outdoor activities when it's not blazing hot. With 468 student athletes competing in 17 Division I sports, basketball and football games draw decent crowds during the school year. The downtown Sacramento scene offers internship opportunities and nightlife about 15 minutes away. Students often grab coffee at the Union or study in the library's group spaces between classes. Campus traditions include Homecoming and the annual Sac State Saturday community event that brings families to campus.

Setting: City-Large
Housing Capacity: 3,280 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

180 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus
Burglary	31	24	2
Motor Vehicle Theft	31	0	0
Rape	15	14	0
Stalking	24	4	0
Domestic Violence	14	7	0
Fondling	6	3	0
Arson	2	1	0
Robbery	1	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 41°–56°F
July Avg: 61°–94°F
Annual Precipitation: 19.2"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Sacramento State draws primarily local students, with 98% coming from California. The campus serves as an access point for working-class families, as nearly half of students receive Pell Grants. Women slightly outnumber men at 55%, reflecting strong programs in education and health sciences. The student body is majority-minority, with Hispanic students making up the largest group at 39%, followed by Asian students at 21%. This diversity mirrors Sacramento's demographics and the university's mission as a regional public institution serving the Central Valley's multicultural communities.

Men: 44.6%
Women: 55.4%
White: 21.8%
Black: 6.6%
Hispanic: 38.6%
Asian: 20.9%
In-State Students: 98.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 48.6%

Location

Sacramento State sits in California's capital city, home to 525,000 people in the metro area. The campus lies 90 miles northeast of San Francisco and 380 miles north of Los Angeles. Sacramento serves as the political center of the nation's most populous state, offering students internship opportunities in government agencies and the State Capitol. The city experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Students benefit from Sacramento's position in the Central Valley, with easy access to Lake Tahoe's mountains two hours east and San Francisco Bay just 90 minutes west. Students considering colleges in California may also compare California State University-Sacramento with similar schools in the region.

Address: Sacramento, California 95819-2694

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $64,876
Median Earnings (5 years): $64,495
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $41,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 65.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $159/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $15,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Sacramento?

Cal State Sacramento accepts 93.21% of applicants, making it highly accessible to most students. The university serves as a regional gateway for Sacramento-area students, with 98.01% of enrollment coming from in-state.

How much does California State University-Sacramento cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $10,512 annually after aid. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $7,306, while the median graduate debt is a manageable $15,000.

What are the strongest academic programs at California State University-Sacramento?

The university is well-known for its business and criminal justice programs that serve the Sacramento region's government and corporate sectors. With a 21:1 student-faculty ratio across 27,867 students, classes tend to be larger but accessible.

What are the graduation rates and career outcomes at California State University-Sacramento?

About 55.80% of students graduate within six years, which reflects the school's role serving working students and career changers. Graduates earn a median salary of $64,876 ten years after graduation, with a strong 93.6% employment rate.

Where do students live at California State University-Sacramento?

The campus houses 3,280 students in on-campus facilities, though most of the 27,867 students commute from the greater Sacramento area. Room and board costs $16,278 for those who choose to live on campus.

Does California State University-Sacramento have notable alumni?

The university counts Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Molly Ringwald among its famous graduates, along with bestselling author Amy Tan. These alumni reflect the school's strong liberal arts foundation alongside its practical career-focused programs.