California State University-Sacramento: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Sacramento, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
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California State University-Sacramento is a public university in Sacramento, California that admits about 94% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $9,338 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Criminal Justice and Corrections, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 54% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
California State University-Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, California State University-Sacramento admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 94%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $9,338 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for California State University-Sacramento?
61% of enrolled students at California State University-Sacramento had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.38, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does California State University-Sacramento weight in admissions?
California State University-Sacramento reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores California State University-Sacramento typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: California State University-Sacramento does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
How much does California State University-Sacramento actually cost?
Published tuition is $8,018 for in-state students and $20,618 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,174 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $9,338 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 49% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,838 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $20,968 |
| Room and board | $20,212 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $9,338 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for California State University-Sacramento
| Regular deadline | February 28 |
| Notification date | Rolling, beginning November 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
Will my child graduate from California State University-Sacramento?
These predict outcomes at California State University-Sacramento better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at California State University-Sacramento
The most popular undergraduate programs at California State University-Sacramento, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Criminal Justice and Corrections. Across all programs, California State University-Sacramento confers roughly 3,889 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $68,332 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 935 | $68,332 |
| Psychology, General | 607 | $55,115 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 568 | $63,820 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 448 | $63,101 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 436 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 301 | $61,913 |
| Computer Science | 300 | $108,027 |
| Biology, General | 294 | $67,859 |
Is California State University-Sacramento safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California State University-Sacramento disclosed 101 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 6 violent offenses and 22 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at California State University-Sacramento?
About 11% of undergraduates at California State University-Sacramento live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 2% of men join a fraternity and 3% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
Next steps for California State University-Sacramento
Common questions parents ask about California State University-Sacramento
What GPA do I need for California State University-Sacramento?
61% of enrolled students at California State University-Sacramento had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.38, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does California State University-Sacramento typically admit?
California State University-Sacramento is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does California State University-Sacramento actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at California State University-Sacramento after grants and scholarships is $9,338 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $8,018 and $20,618 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is California State University-Sacramento realistic for my child?
California State University-Sacramento admits 94% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $9,338 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Sacramento?
California State University-Sacramento accepts about 94% of applicants out of roughly 26,342 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is California State University-Sacramento test-optional?
California State University-Sacramento is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Sacramento?
About 54% of students at California State University-Sacramento graduate within six years. 82% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does California State University-Sacramento look for in applicants?
California State University-Sacramento rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is California State University-Sacramento a public or private school, and where is it located?
California State University-Sacramento is a public institution located in Sacramento, California.
What are the most popular majors at California State University-Sacramento?
The largest undergraduate majors at California State University-Sacramento by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Criminal Justice and Corrections. The school awards about 3,889 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is California State University-Sacramento safe? What is its campus crime rate?
California State University-Sacramento reported 101 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at California State University-Sacramento?
At California State University-Sacramento, 11% of undergraduates live on campus, 2% of men are in fraternities, 3% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Sacramento, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers