CSU vs. Sacramento State

California State University Chico and California State University Sacramento side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Chico
California State University Sacramento

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU (92.7% admitted vs 94%). Typical SAT 1070 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: Sacramento State. Average net price is $10,110 vs $14,630 at CSU.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs Sacramento State 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs Sacramento State $51,000 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Chico California State University Sacramento
Acceptance rate
CSU more selective
CSU92.7%
Sacramento State94%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSU higher
CSU970-1170
Sacramento State930-1130
Average net price
Sacramento State $4,520 less
CSU$14,630
Sacramento State$10,110
In-state tuition
Sacramento State $454 less
CSU$8,472
Sacramento State$8,018
Out-of-state tuition
Sacramento State $454 less
CSU$21,072
Sacramento State$20,618
Graduation rate
CSU +17 pts
CSU59%
Sacramento State42%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$1,400
CSU$52,400
Sacramento State$51,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • Sacramento State 27,702
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • Sacramento State 26,036
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • Sacramento State 94%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • Sacramento State 15.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • Sacramento State 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • Sacramento State 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • Sacramento State 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • Sacramento State B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Sacramento State Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • Sacramento State
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • Sacramento State 930-1130
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • Sacramento State 17-23
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • Sacramento State Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • Sacramento State $8,018
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • Sacramento State $20,618
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • Sacramento State $19,174
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • Sacramento State $10,110
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • Sacramento State $12,767
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • Sacramento State 82%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • Sacramento State 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • Sacramento State $51,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • Sacramento State 64%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • Sacramento State $15,750
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • Sacramento State $162
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • Sacramento State 24:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Sacramento State
    • Business (24%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • Sacramento State Sacramento, CA
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • Sacramento State Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • Sacramento State 31,943
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • Sacramento State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • Sacramento State #841

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Sacramento is in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting).
  • California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Sacramento 24:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 13.9% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($16,500 vs. $19,174).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at CSU than at California State University Sacramento (about $454 more per year; $21,072 vs. $20,618).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at California State University Chico (82% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 10.9% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,767 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at CSU than at Sacramento State (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and Sacramento State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Sacramento State average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at CSU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 15.3% at Sacramento State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,750 vs. $17,000).
  • Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($162 vs. $175).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 64%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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