CSU vs. Sacramento State

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Sacramento is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 15,257 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Sacramento is in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Sacramento 24:1.

CSU vs. Sacramento State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Sacramento State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Sacramento than CSU ($10,110 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 13.9% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($16,500 vs. $19,174).
• California State University Chico is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $454 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at CSU than at California State University Sacramento (about $454 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at California State University Chico (82% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 10.9% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,767 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. Sacramento State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Sacramento State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sacramento State and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 40 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming CSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; California State University Sacramento 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; California State University Sacramento 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Sacramento State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at CSU (3.37).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than CSU (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 15.3% at Sacramento State.

CSU vs. Sacramento State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Sacramento State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State University Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Sacramento State graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,750 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($162 vs. $175).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.