Sacramento State vs. San Diego Christian College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, CA with San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Sacramento is larger than San Diego Christian College based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 96 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); San Diego Christian College is in Santee, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego Christian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Sacramento 24:1; San Diego Christian College 9:1.

Sacramento State vs. San Diego Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or San Diego Christian College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Sacramento than San Diego Christian College ($10,110 vs. $21,199).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Christian College are 42.2% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($11,080 vs. $19,174).
• San Diego Christian College is 249.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $19,994 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.9% higher at San Diego Christian College than at California State University Sacramento (about $7,394 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Christian College than at California State University Sacramento (100% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Christian College students is 45.6% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($18,584 vs. $12,767).

Sacramento State vs. San Diego Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State or San Diego Christian College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Diego Christian College and Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Sacramento (1030) is 30 points higher than at San Diego Christian College (1000).
• Incoming San Diego Christian College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Sacramento State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; San Diego Christian College 900/1098.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; San Diego Christian College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); San Diego Christian College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at San Diego Christian College (3.26).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than San Diego Christian College (30.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 15.8% at San Diego Christian College.

Sacramento State vs. San Diego Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and San Diego Christian College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Sacramento's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than San Diego Christian College's (31%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than San Diego Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $7,356 lower median loan debt than San Diego Christian College graduates ($15,750 vs. $23,106).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego Christian College graduates ($162 vs. $238).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Christian College students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.