California State University-Sacramento vs San Francisco State University
Both universities offer accessible admission with acceptance rates above 93%, making them viable options for most applicants. Sacramento State admits 93.21% of students while San Francisco State accepts 94.20%.
Regarding costs, the schools are nearly identical for tuition, with Sacramento charging $7,602 in-state versus San Francisco's $7,424. However, the average net price differs significantly: Sacramento costs $10,512 compared to San Francisco's $12,882, making Sacramento more affordable overall. Both schools produce similar debt loads around $15,000.
Academic environments differ notably in scale and structure. Sacramento State serves 27,867 students with a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, while San Francisco State enrolls 20,033 students with a better 16:1 ratio. San Francisco State shows stronger student engagement with an 83.74% retention rate versus Sacramento's 81.07%. However, Sacramento State achieves better completion rates with 55.80% of students graduating within six years compared to 50.10% at San Francisco State.
Career outcomes favor San Francisco State graduates, who earn a median salary of $68,077 after ten years compared to $64,876 for Sacramento State alumni. This $3,200 difference likely reflects San Francisco's higher cost of living and job market opportunities.
Campus experiences vary by athletic culture and location. Sacramento State competes in NCAA Division I athletics, while San Francisco State participates in Division II competition.
Sacramento State suits students seeking affordability, Division I sports culture, and proximity to California's capital, while San Francisco State fits those prioritizing smaller class sizes, urban cultural opportunities, and higher earning potential despite increased living costs.
Both universities offer accessible admission with acceptance rates above 93%, making them viable options for most applicants. Sacramento State admits 93.21% of students while San Francisco State accepts 94.20%.
Regarding costs, the schools are nearly identical for tuition, with Sacramento charging $7,602 in-state versus San Francisco's $7,424. However, the average net price differs significantly: Sacramento costs $10,512 compared to San Francisco's $12,882, making Sacramento more affordable overall. Both schools produce similar debt loads around $15,000.
Academic environments differ notably in scale and structure. Sacramento State serves 27,867 students with a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, while San Francisco State enrolls 20,033 students with a better 16:1 ratio. San Francisco State shows stronger student engagement with an 83.74% retention rate versus Sacramento's 81.07%. However, Sacramento State achieves better completion rates with 55.80% of students graduating within six years compared to 50.10% at San Francisco State.
Career outcomes favor San Francisco State graduates, who earn a median salary of $68,077 after ten years compared to $64,876 for Sacramento State alumni. This $3,200 difference likely reflects San Francisco's higher cost of living and job market opportunities.
Campus experiences vary by athletic culture and location. Sacramento State competes in NCAA Division I athletics, while San Francisco State participates in Division II competition.
Sacramento State suits students seeking affordability, Division I sports culture, and proximity to California's capital, while San Francisco State fits those prioritizing smaller class sizes, urban cultural opportunities, and higher earning potential despite increased living costs.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| California State University-Sacramento | San Francisco State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 93.2% | 94.2% |
| Enrollment | 27,867 | 20,033 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,602 | $7,424 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,482 | $19,304 |
| Net Price | $10,512 | $12,882 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.8% | 50.1% |
| Retention Rate | 81.1% | 83.7% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $64,876 | $68,077 |
| Median Debt | $15,000 | $15,371 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| California State University-Sacramento | San Francisco State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $108,495 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $111,769 |
| Construction Engineering. | $80,779 | Computer Engineering. | $69,338 |
| Computer Engineering. | $78,343 | Computer Science. | $68,499 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $70,596 | Civil Engineering. | $66,592 |
| Computer Science. | $67,240 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $66,171 |
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