Sacramento State vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than San Francisco State based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 22,563 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

Sacramento State vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or San Francisco State? 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 San Francisco State ($10,110 vs. $13,168).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Sacramento are 13.9% lower than at San Francisco State University ($19,174 vs. $22,266).
• California State University Sacramento is 0.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $68 more per year; $8,018.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Sacramento State than at San Francisco State University (about $68 more per year; $20,618.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at San Francisco State University (82% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 1.8% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($12,996 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Sacramento (1030) is the same as at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming Sacramento State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Sacramento State (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

Sacramento State vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and San Francisco State? 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).

• San Francisco State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Sacramento State graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($15,750 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($162 vs. $178).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 63%)

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.