Sacramento State vs. Simpson University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 992 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Simpson University is in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; Simpson University 17:1.

Sacramento State vs. Simpson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or Simpson 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 Simpson University ($10,110 vs. $28,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 37.9% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($11,900 vs. $19,174).
• Simpson University is 395.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $31,690 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.6% higher at Simpson University than at California State University Sacramento (about $19,090 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson University than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 103.2% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($25,937 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. Simpson University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Simpson University (1070) is 40 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming Simpson University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; Simpson University 960/1185.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; Simpson University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; Simpson University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; Simpson University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Simpson University (3.4).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Simpson University (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 24.2% at Simpson University.

Sacramento State vs. Simpson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and Simpson 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).

• Simpson University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than California State University Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $918 lower median loan debt than Simpson University graduates ($15,750 vs. $16,668).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson University graduates ($162 vs. $172).
• More Simpson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.