Sacramento State vs. Golden Gate University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than Golden Gate University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 3,098 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Golden Gate University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Golden Gate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; Golden Gate University 7:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Golden Gate University are 31.2% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($13,200 vs. $19,174).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.3% higher at Golden Gate University than at California State University Sacramento (about $10,370 more per year; $30,988 vs. $20,618).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at Golden Gate University (82% vs. 0%).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Sacramento State, not reported at Golden Gate University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $14,089 lower median loan debt than Golden Gate University graduates ($15,750 vs. $29,839).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Golden Gate University graduates ($162 vs. $308).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Golden Gate University students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 57%).

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