Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 55.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 55.8%
- Retention Rate
- 81.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $64,876
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $15,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 65.5%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $159/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $108,495 | $13,750 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $106,421 | $64,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $90,412 | $22,103 |
| Construction Engineering. | Bachelor | $80,779 | $14,514 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $80,022 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $78,343 | |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $78,343 | $17,500 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $76,460 | $78,936 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,739 | $33,324 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,596 | $16,500 |
| Education, General. | Master | $69,338 | $38,810 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $67,240 | $15,004 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $66,401 | $33,556 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,406 | $18,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $16,532 |
Outcomes Overview
Sacramento State graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $15,000 and earn $64,876 within ten years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 23% falls well below the concerning 40% threshold that financial experts recommend avoiding. Monthly loan payments of $159 represent just 3% of typical graduate income. The university's strong ties to California's capital city create direct pipelines into state government, healthcare systems, and regional businesses. Criminal justice majors often join law enforcement agencies, while business graduates frequently land roles in Sacramento's growing tech and healthcare sectors. With 93.6% of graduates finding employment and relatively low debt burdens, Sacramento State delivers a strong return on investment for California residents.