Cal State LA vs. Sacramento State

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, 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 Cal State LA based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 23,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); California State University Sacramento is in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles 21:1; California State University Sacramento 24:1.

Cal State LA vs. Sacramento State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA 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 Los Angeles than Sacramento State ($4,460 vs. $10,110).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Sacramento are 2.7% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($19,174 vs. $19,696).
• California State University Sacramento is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $858 more per year; $8,018.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at Sacramento State than at California State University Los Angeles (about $858 more per year; $20,618.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at California State University Sacramento (94% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 8.3% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($13,824 vs. $12,767).

Cal State LA vs. Sacramento State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA 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 Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Sacramento (1030) is 60 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming Sacramento State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; California State University Sacramento 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; California State University Sacramento 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; Sacramento State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Cal State LA (3.31).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Cal State LA (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 15.3% at Sacramento State.

Cal State LA vs. Sacramento State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA 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 Sacramento's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $2,830 lower median loan debt than Sacramento State graduates ($12,920 vs. $15,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sacramento State graduates ($133 vs. $162).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 57%)

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.