Sacramento State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Sacramento is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

Sacramento State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or John Paul the Great Catholic 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($10,110 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 48.5% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($9,868 vs. $19,174).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 277.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $22,247 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.8% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Sacramento (about $9,647 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 33% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($16,982 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State or John Paul the Great Catholic 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and Sacramento State.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120) is 90 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Sacramento State (3.42).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

Sacramento State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and John Paul the Great Catholic 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($15,750 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($162 vs. $266).

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.