California State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
California State University-Sacramento is a public research university in Sacramento, California, enrolling about 28,350 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 93.99% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $64,876 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,018
- 2024 Average Net Price: $9,338 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 93.99% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 28,350 80.6% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 56.29%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 49.0%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 1.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 3.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 49.0%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,449
- Applicants (IPEDS): 25,994
- Room & Board: $19,174 annual estimate
California State University-Sacramento: what the data shows
Common questions about California State University-Sacramento, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is California State University-Sacramento?
California State University-Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (ZIP 95819-2694).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is California State University-Sacramento public or private?
California State University-Sacramento is a Public institution.
How much does California State University-Sacramento cost?
Published tuition: $8,018 in-state, $20,618 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $9,338.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $6,501 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,001 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,212 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $11,814 |
| $110,001+ | $18,861 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $32,072.
How hard is it to get into California State University-Sacramento?
Admission rate: 93.99%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is California State University-Sacramento?
Total enrollment: 28,350 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 33,449 students.
Graduate enrollment: 3,123 students.
About 81% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Sacramento?
150%-time completion rate: 56.29%.
First-year retention: 81.9%.
What do graduates of California State University-Sacramento earn?
Median earnings: $51,074 six years after entry; $64,876 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $15,000.
49.13% of students receive Pell grants.
What is California State University-Sacramento known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (1,256 completions)
- Psychology, General (655 completions)
- Health Professions and Related Programs (632 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Safety Studies (564 completions)
- Computer Science (390 completions)
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric (376 completions)
- Early Childhood Education & Teaching (350 completions)
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (300 completions)
- Sociology, General (293 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (287 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is California State University-Sacramento a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 93.99%; completion rate 56.29%; median earnings $64,876 at 10 years; net price $9,338. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,018
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at California State University-Sacramento was $8,018.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$9,338
2024 Value
In 2024 California State University-Sacramento had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $9,338.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$37,352 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$9,338 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$32,072 4-Year In-State Tuition
$82,472 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$19,174 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,160 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$28,352 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$113,408 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for California State University-Sacramento.
Financial Aid by Income Level
49.13% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
22.82% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at California State University-Sacramento was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for California State University-Sacramento in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,628 | $17,788 | $10,614 |
| 2014 | $6,648 | $17,808 | $8,953 |
| 2015 | $6,872 | $18,032 | $8,710 |
| 2016 | $6,900 | $18,060 | $9,266 |
| 2017 | $7,204 | $19,084 | $9,733 |
| 2018 | $7,310 | $19,190 | $9,722 |
| 2019 | $7,368 | $19,248 | $9,979 |
| 2020 | $7,418 | $19,298 | $11,178 |
| 2021 | $7,392 | $19,272 | $6,654 |
| 2022 | $7,484 | $19,364 | $10,911 |
| 2023 | $7,602 | $19,482 | $10,512 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
93.99% Acceptance Rate
25,994 Total Applicants
24,336 Students Admitted
3,884 First-Time Students Enrolled
15.96% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
California State University-Sacramento reported total enrollment of about 28,350 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 45% male and 55% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Hispanic or Latino (38.4%), White (22.5%), and Asian (20.9%). About 49.13% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 49.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
80.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at California State University-Sacramento in 2024 is 28,350 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 33,449 students. Graduate enrollment is about 3,123 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
81.9%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Hispanic or Latino at 38.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
28.09% 100% Completion Time
56.29% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 28.09% of students graduating from California State University-Sacramento completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 53% male / 47% female
- Psychology, General: 24% male / 76% female
- Health Professions and Related Programs: 17% male / 83% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Hispanic or Latino.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for California State University-Sacramento.
Return on Investment
$15,000 Median Student Debt
$64,876 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
23.12% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1636.88% Return on Investment
2.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for California State University-Sacramento.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 79 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 1,256 completions
2. Psychology, General: 655 completions
3. Health Professions and Related Programs: 632 completions
4. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies: 564 completions
5. Computer Science: 390 completions
6. Speech Communication and Rhetoric: 376 completions
7. Early Childhood Education & Teaching: 350 completions
8. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General: 300 completions
9. Sociology, General: 293 completions
Most popular programs at California State University-Sacramento.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for California State University-Sacramento graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for California State University-Sacramento from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 49.0%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $11,717
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,604
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
California State University-Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, CA, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Health Professions and Related Programs. Enrollment is approximately 28,350 students. Student body composition includes Hispanic or Latino (38.4%), White (22.5%), Asian (20.9%). The admission rate is 93.99%. The 150%-time completion rate is 56.29%. Approximately 49.13% of students receive Pell Grants. About 49.0% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Sacramento, CA 95819-2694
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 79 distinct degree programs, California State University-Sacramento provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is California State University-Sacramento located?
California State University-Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA.
What is California State University-Sacramento's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at California State University-Sacramento is 94.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 25,994 applicants and 24,336 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does California State University-Sacramento cost?
Reported tuition is $8,018 and average net price is $9,338 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $19,174 annually.
What is the student body demographics at California State University-Sacramento?
California State University-Sacramento reports undergraduate enrollment of about 33,449 students, Hispanic or Latino (38.4%), White (22.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend California State University-Sacramento?
About 49.0% of students at California State University-Sacramento are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of California State University-Sacramento earn?
Median earnings are $51,074 six years after entry and $64,876 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Sacramento?
The 150%-time completion rate is 56.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do California State University-Sacramento students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $15,000.
Is California State University-Sacramento public or private?
California State University-Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, CA.
Is California State University-Sacramento an HBCU?
No. California State University-Sacramento is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is California State University-Sacramento a tribal college?
No. California State University-Sacramento is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is California State University-Sacramento a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—California State University-Sacramento reports 38.4% Hispanic enrollment share.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Sacramento, California city profile
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.