California State University Sacramento

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Sacramento, CA
  • 0 reviews
#21 Best Public Universities in California

Overview

Total enrollment

31,943
California State University Sacramento overview
California State University Sacramento overview
  • Size Large
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

California State University, Sacramento is located in the state capital of California, approximately 90 miles northeast of San Francisco in the Sacramento Valley. Situated on 300 acres along the American River, the campus features modern classroom buildings and residential facilities amid a landscape of native trees. Founded in 1947, Sacramento State serves as a major regional university with an emphasis on applied research and career preparation. The university maintains comprehensive academic offerings across eight colleges, with particularly strong programs in business administration, criminal justice, nursing, and education. Students can choose to live in several on-campus residential communities, and the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Hornets, primarily in the Big Sky Conference.

Ratings

Sacramento State is rated within the lower 36% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    3 out of 10
  • Resources
    3 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    6 out of 10
  • Value
    4 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
California State University Sacramento admission standards
  • GPA 3.42

Acceptance Rate

94%
California State University Sacramento applications overview
  • Applications Due Nov 30, 2026
  • Enrollment Rate 15.3%
  • Application Fee $70

Applicant Competition Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Annual Cost to Attend

California Resident Tuition

$8,018

Out of State Resident Tuition

$20,618

Breakdown

In State Costs for California State University Sacramento
  • Tuition $8,018
  • Books and Supplies $1,160
  • Other Fees $1,934
  • Room and Board $19,174
  • Budget for Other Expenses $4,904
  • Total One Year Cost $35,190

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$51,000 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

42% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at California State University Sacramento are Business, Social Sciences, and Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting. 24% of students major in Business, 9% in Social Sciences, and 8% in Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting.

  • Business 24%
  • Social Sciences 9%
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting 8%
  • Communication 7%
  • Health Professions 7%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering California State University Sacramento are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110617.

GPA calculator: California State University Sacramento GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026