Sacramento State vs. Life Pacific University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 621 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Sacramento State vs. Life Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or Life 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 Life Pacific University ($10,110 vs. $21,602).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 36.4% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($12,190 vs. $19,174).
• Life Pacific University is 175.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $14,100 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University Sacramento (about $1,500 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 7.3% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($13,696 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. Life Pacific University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Sacramento (1030) is 20 points higher than at Life Pacific University (1010).
• Incoming Sacramento State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Life Pacific University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; Life Pacific University 930/1085.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; Life Pacific University 16/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; Life Pacific University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; Life Pacific University May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• Life Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than Sacramento State (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 33.8% at Life Pacific University.

Sacramento State vs. Life Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and Life 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).

• California State University Sacramento's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Life Pacific University's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than Life Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $4,780 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($15,750 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($162 vs. $212).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 54%)

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.