Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Sacramento, California |
| Online | csus.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Large City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
California State University, Sacramento is located in the state capital of California, approximately 90 miles northeast of San Francisco in the Sacramento Valley. Situated on 300 acres along the American River, the campus features modern classroom buildings and residential facilities amid a landscape of native trees. Founded in 1947, Sacramento State serves as a major regional university with an emphasis on applied research and career preparation. The university maintains comprehensive academic offerings across eight colleges, with particularly strong programs in business administration, criminal justice, nursing, and education. Students can choose to live in several on-campus residential communities, and the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Hornets, primarily in the Big Sky Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Sacramento State is rated within the lower 38% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for California State University Sacramento within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#841 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#318 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#52 in Best Colleges in California
#22 in Best Public Colleges in California
#69 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 930/1130 |
| ACT | 17/23 |
| GPA | 3.42 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Nov 30, 2024 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,112 |
| Other Fees | $1,860 |
| Room and Board | $16,278 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,426 |
| Total One Year Cost | $29,418 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,112 |
| Other Fees | $1,860 |
| Room and Board | $16,278 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,426 |
| Total One Year Cost | $41,298 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 24% |
| Social Sciences | 9% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 8% |
| Communication | 7% |
| Health Professions | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Sacramento State are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110617 IPEDS survey data for California State University Sacramento.
Current students may use the California State University Sacramento GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025