Sacramento State vs. Fresno Pacific University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 2,879 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Fresno Pacific University is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fresno Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; Fresno Pacific University 10:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 46.8% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($10,210 vs. $19,174).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.8% higher at Fresno Pacific University than at California State University Sacramento (about $16,042 more per year; $36,660 vs. $20,618).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 132% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($29,616 vs. $12,767).

Admissions details

• Incoming Sacramento State students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 20) as students at Fresno Pacific University (20).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Sacramento State and Fresno Pacific University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; Fresno Pacific University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Fresno Pacific University average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at Sacramento State (3.42).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 17.3% at Fresno Pacific University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($15,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($162 vs. $222).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 53%).

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