Sacramento State vs. Fresno Pacific University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 2,879 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Fresno Pacific University is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fresno Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; Fresno Pacific University 10:1.

Sacramento State vs. Fresno Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University ($10,110 vs. $15,261).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 46.8% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($10,210 vs. $19,174).
• Fresno Pacific University is 357.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $28,642 more per year; $36,660.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.8% higher at Fresno Pacific University than at California State University Sacramento (about $16,042 more per year; $36,660.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 132% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($29,616 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. Fresno Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State or Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University and Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fresno Pacific University (1110) is 80 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming Sacramento State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Fresno Pacific University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; Fresno Pacific University 970/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; Fresno Pacific University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; Fresno Pacific University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; Fresno Pacific University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Fresno Pacific University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Sacramento State (3.42).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Fresno Pacific University (64.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 17.3% at Fresno Pacific University.

Sacramento State vs. Fresno Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and Fresno Pacific University? 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).

• Fresno Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($15,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($162 vs. $222).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 53%)

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.