California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, California · Public · 94.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
California State University-Sacramento
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,018/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,618/yr |
| Average net price | $9,338/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $37,352 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,876 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $41,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $15,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $159 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 56.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 28,350 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,501 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,001 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,212 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,814 |
| $110,001+ | $18,861 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California State University-Sacramento with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,636 | B+ |
| Psychology | $53,237 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $62,583 | B |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $67,182 | B+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,404 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $59,142 | C |
| Biology | $61,775 | B |
| Sociology | $56,886 | B |
| Computer Science | $92,519 | B+ |
| Social Work | $58,280 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California State University-Sacramento is $8,018/year ($20,618/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $9,338/year, or roughly $37,352 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $6,501/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,861/year.
The median graduate leaves with $15,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $159 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $64,876 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.36 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.5% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 74.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 74.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 94.0% |
| Enrollment | 28,350 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 49.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,717 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Sacramento (this school) | 83 | $9,338 | $64,876 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| George Mason University | 86 | $17,915 | $76,343 |
| University of Utah | 84 | $16,200 | $67,170 |
| Iowa State University | 79 | $18,589 | $63,386 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
California State University-Sacramento delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $9,338 per year ($37,352 over four years), graduates earn a median of $64,876 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.9 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $15,000 is very manageable against $64,876 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.