Sacramento State vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

Sacramento State vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or La Sierra 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 La Sierra University ($10,110 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 30% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($13,431 vs. $19,174).
• La Sierra University is 370.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $29,692 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.9% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Sacramento (about $17,092 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Sacramento (98% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 116.5% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($27,646 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State or La Sierra 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 La Sierra University and Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Sacramento (1030) is 20 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra 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 La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

Sacramento State vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and La Sierra 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).

• California State University Sacramento's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Sacramento State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $14,250 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($15,750 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $148 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($162 vs. $310).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 52%)

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.