Sacramento State vs. PUC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Pacific Union College is in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; Pacific Union College 12:1.

Sacramento State vs. PUC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or PUC? 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 PUC ($10,110 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 48.8% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($9,816 vs. $19,174).
• Pacific Union College is 363.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $29,155 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.3% higher at PUC than at California State University Sacramento (about $16,555 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 108.6% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($26,629 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. PUC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State or PUC? 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 PUC and Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Union College (1060) is 30 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming PUC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; Pacific Union College 930/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; Pacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; PUC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at PUC (3.24).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 14% at PUC.

Sacramento State vs. PUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and PUC? 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).

• Pacific Union College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than California State University Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Sacramento State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 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 PUC graduates ($15,750 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $148 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($162 vs. $310).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 57%)

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.