Sacramento State vs. CDU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, CA with Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Sacramento is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1.

Sacramento State vs. CDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or CDU? 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 CDU ($10,110 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Sacramento are 42.1% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($19,174 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 186.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $14,982 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.6% higher at CDU than at California State University Sacramento (about $2,382 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 198.6% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($12,767 vs. $4,276).

Sacramento State vs. CDU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State or CDU? 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 CDU and Sacramento State.

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; CDU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at CDU (3.26).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 3.5% at CDU.

Sacramento State vs. CDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and CDU? 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).

• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $19,900 more per year than Sacramento State graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $5,569 lower median loan debt than CDU graduates ($15,750 vs. $21,319).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CDU graduates ($162 vs. $220).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 56%)

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.