Sacramento State vs. Lincoln University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than Lincoln University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 436 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Sacramento State vs. Lincoln University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or Lincoln University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lincoln University are 56.2% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($8,400 vs. $19,174).
• Lincoln University is 64% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $5,132 more per year; $13,150.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.8% higher at Sacramento State than at Lincoln University (about $7,468 more per year; $20,618.00 vs. $13,150.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at Lincoln University (82% vs. 0%).

Sacramento State vs. Lincoln University Admissions comparison

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

• Lincoln University 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; Lincoln University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; Lincoln University Jul 13, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.82 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Lincoln University (2.6).

Sacramento State vs. Lincoln University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and Lincoln 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).

• Lincoln University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than California State University Sacramento's (42%).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lincoln University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 51%)

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.