At $10,512/yr net price, California State University-Sacramento graduates earn $64,876/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $30,876/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,512 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $42,048 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,876/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$30,876/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,306/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,214/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,861/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,618/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,649/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
55.8% of students at California State University-Sacramento graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Sacramento State gives you a low-cost path to a middle-income salary, and the math mostly works. At about $10,500 a year in net price and $15,000 in median debt, you carry less than half the debt of many four-year graduates. Median earnings ten years out land in the mid-$60,000s, so the debt-to-income picture is comfortable for most graduates.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner, paying over $108,000 while leaving you with the lowest debt of any top program. That gap matters: a nursing graduate out-earns a computer science graduate by more than $40,000 on similar debt. The engineering tracks,construction, computer, electrical,all clear $70,000 and pay off cleanly. Computer science pays less than the engineering majors but still beats the campus median. Sacramento's state-government and healthcare job market backs up these numbers, especially for nursing and engineering.
The risk is finishing. A 56% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't earn the degree that justifies the cost. Debt without a diploma is the worst outcome, and the 81% retention rate tells you the first year is where people fall off. The salary figures above only apply if you graduate, and only in those programs.
This school fits you if you're targeting nursing, engineering, or computer science and can commit to finishing. If you're undecided or drawn to lower-paying majors not listed here, the payoff is less certain.
On price, families earning under $30,000 pay around $7,300 a year, and the $30-48k tier isn't far behind at $8,200. The cost climbs steeply for higher earners,over $110k means roughly $20,600 a year, nearly triple the lowest tier. Lower-income families get the strongest deal here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California State University-Sacramento worth the cost?
With a low net price of $10,512 and graduates earning $64,876 after 10 years, Sacramento State offers solid value for most students. The median debt of $15,000 is manageable relative to earning potential.
What majors at California State University-Sacramento have the best ROI?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning over $90,000, while engineering majors in construction and civil earn around $80,000. These programs justify the investment with strong job prospects and higher salaries.
How much debt do California State University-Sacramento graduates have?
The median debt is $15,000, which is relatively low compared to many four-year universities. With average earnings of nearly $65,000 ten years after graduation, most graduates can handle this debt load.
Why is California State University-Sacramento's graduation rate so low?
Only 56% of students graduate, which hurts the school's overall value proposition. Students who don't finish get little return on their investment, making completion critical for ROI.