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Sacramento , CA
California State University, Sacramento, also known as Sac State, is a public university located in the heart of California's capital, Sacramento. Established in 1947, Sac State is part of the larger California State University system, which is renowned for its strong academic programs and commitment to student success. With over 31,000 students enrolled, Sac State offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, providing students with ample opportunities for intellectual growth and career development.
One of the main strengths of Sac State is its emphasis on experiential learning and community engagement. The university has strong ties with the local community, allowing students to gain real-world experience through internships, service-learning projects, and partnerships with local organizations. Additionally, Sac State offers an array of resources to support student success, such as tutoring services, career counseling, and research opportunities. The campus also boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, laboratories, and the innovative Student Recreation Center.
Sac State prides itself on its diverse and inclusive campus community. With students from all backgrounds and cultures, the university fosters an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and encourages dialogue and understanding. The university also offers numerous student organizations and extracurricular activities, providing students with opportunities to get involved, meet new people, and pursue their interests outside the classroom. Whether it's joining a club, participating in a sports team, or attending one of the many cultural events on campus, students at Sac State can find a sense of belonging and a vibrant campus life.
Overall, California State University, Sacramento provides a well-rounded education that combines academic excellence, experiential learning, and community engagement. The university's commitment to student success, diverse campus community, and ample resources make it an ideal choice for students seeking a high-quality education in the vibrant city of Sacramento. Sac State equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to thrive in their chosen fields and become successful global citizens.
California State University, Sacramento is a public university located in Sacramento, CA and set in an urban environment. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 93%. The freshman retention rate at California State University, Sacramento is 81.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 56%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is May 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is May 1.
Here are some current data on important things to consider about California State University, Sacramento.
Quick Facts
28,226
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
23:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
56%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to find out as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to increase your chances of being accepted. Here are the most important data you need to know about admission at California State University, Sacramento.
In 2025, the school accepted 26,036 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 1% and ACT scores 1%. The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.41. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into California State University, Sacramento.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to California State University, Sacramento is May 1. If you plan on applying as a transfer student, the application deadline is May 1.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for California State University, Sacramento was 81.1%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 56%.
Student Body
Picking a school that is the right place for you is not a simple task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school had an enrollment of 30,883 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 1. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 28,226, 863 of which were foreign students. 4,254 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 10,457 male and 13,605 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 454 full-time graduate male and 1,136 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 5,811 Asian students and 1,905 Afro-American students in 2025. 10,329 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,732 identified with more than one race. The school also had 264 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 91 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 594 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you submit an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for California State University, Sacramento.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for California State University, Sacramento is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees for area resident were $6,084, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $18,684 for students coming from a different state. If you are an international student at California State University, Sacramento, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $18,684, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $1,934 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $18,684 | $1,934 | $20,618 |
| In-State | $6,084 | $1,934 | $8,018 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to pay about $1,160 for books and supplies during their time at California State University, Sacramento.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at California State University, Sacramento was $18,756 in 2025. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 was $12,730 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,084 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,756 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,160 |
| Total Expense | $ 26,000 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at California State University, Sacramento, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 2,934 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $15,738.81 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
15,588 students acquired some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at California State University, Sacramento isn't available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 16,268. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $90,759,578, and state $127,086,813. The students of California State University, Sacramento received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $40,948,447, and external in the amount of $8,750.
$3,606
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
2,563 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. 998 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $90,759,578 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $69,684. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $3,717,380. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,685,711 USD.
Majors
Faculty
23:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at California State University, Sacramento was 23:1. That means that there were 23 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 1,760 faculty members. This number included 810 men and 945 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at California State University, Sacramento.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some details about students' life at California State University, Sacramento.
Its campus spans 300 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If you are interested in music, you can join the California State University, Sacramento band or chorus. If you're interested in acting, you have the option to join a drama club. For students looking to explore media and communication, California State University, Sacramento publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
California State University, Sacramento offers a number of services crucial for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of California State University, Sacramento.
All in all, campus life at California State University, Sacramento is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at California State University, Sacramento.
Career Counselling
There are a job bank and job fairs. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students.
FAQ
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California State University, Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA.
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California State University, Sacramento doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for California State University, Sacramento is 93%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for California State University, Sacramento is 81.1%.
Contact Information
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street
Sacramento , CA
95819
916 278-6011
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
