Sacramento State vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than Sacramento State based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 31,943 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

Sacramento State vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or San Jose 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 Jose State ($10,110 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Sacramento are 8.6% lower than at San Jose State University ($19,174 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $392 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at San Jose State than at California State University Sacramento (about $392 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at San Jose State University (82% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 3.4% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($12,767 vs. $12,353).

Sacramento State vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 100 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming San Jose State 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; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

Sacramento State vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and San Jose 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 Jose State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Sacramento State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Sacramento State graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,750).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sacramento State graduates ($155 vs. $162).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 64%)

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.