California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, California · Public · 94.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
California State University-Sacramento scores 83 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, driven by a 0.80 earnings premium (one of the highest in the database for a public comprehensive university), a 5.9-year payback period, and a low median debt of $15,000. Net price of $9,338 is exceptional for the outcomes it delivers. Median 6-year earnings are $41,800 -- solid against a four-year total cost of $37,352. The 56.3% completion rate is the primary weakness; Sac State loses nearly half its students before graduation. Registered Nursing leads outcomes convincingly: 181 graduates, $116,001 year-one, $129,960 year-four, A-grade ROI -- among the top nursing outcomes in the CSU system. Construction Engineering ($90,836 year-one, A-grade ROI) and Computer Science (267 graduates, $60,028 year-one, $92,519 year-four, B+-grade) are strong programs. Electrical Engineering (95 graduates, $74,450 year-one) and Civil Engineering (145 graduates, $71,342 year-one) round out the top tier. Business Administration (1,005 graduates, $48,492 year-one) is the largest program and carries B+ ROI at this low price point. The Sacramento location provides access to state government and healthcare employment pipelines not reflected in Scorecard data.
California State University-Sacramento scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
California State University-Sacramento
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 bracket pays $6,501 net price at Sac State -- one of the lowest in the CSU system. At this cost, virtually all programs produce positive ROI for graduates who complete. Nursing and engineering graduates achieve payback in 1-3 years at this price level. The completion rate risk remains, but the financial upside for low-income students who graduate is substantial.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $9,212, rising to $11,814 for the 75001-110000 bracket. These net prices maintain excellent value across most programs. Middle-income California families should treat Sac State's business, engineering, and CS programs as serious competitors to more expensive private schools for ROI.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $18,861 -- a total four-year cost of roughly $75,000. Against $41,800 median 6-year earnings and a 5.9-year payback on average, the full-price case remains strong. Nursing graduates recover the full investment in less than one year. Higher-income families often overlook Sac State in favor of UC campuses, but the outcomes data warrants consideration.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing at Sac State (181 graduates) is one of the strongest-performing nursing programs in the CSU system: $116,001 year-one, $129,960 year-four, A-grade ROI, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.164, and median debt of only $19,000. Graduates at this net price recover their investment in roughly 1-2 years. The combination of high volume, exceptional earnings, and low debt makes this the flagship program at the institution by any measure.
Computer Science
Computer Science (267 graduates) earns B+-grade ROI: $60,028 year-one, $92,519 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.260 with median debt of $15,625. The Sacramento region's tech ecosystem, combined with proximity to Bay Area employers, gives Sac State CS graduates access to labor markets that outperform the school's nominal location. At $9,338 net price, this program's ROI is among the strongest for any public CS program in California.
Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering (145 graduates) earns B+-grade ROI: $71,342 year-one, $93,973 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.268 with median debt of $19,124. California's infrastructure demand provides steady employment for civil engineers from Sac State. The four-year trajectory to $94k is strong for a public school graduate entering mid-career.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the highest-enrollment program at Sac State with 1,005 graduates. Year-one earnings of $48,492, year-four of $67,636, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.284 (ROI grade B+), and median debt of $13,750 -- extremely low. At this net price, even the modest year-one earnings produce fast payback. The B+ grade with $13,750 median debt is a strong outcome for a large-volume program.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice (539 graduates) earns B-grade ROI: $38,606 year-one, $62,583 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.356 with median debt of $13,745. The second-highest enrollment program at Sac State. At this net price and debt level, Criminal Justice graduates face manageable payback despite modest year-one wages. The state government and law enforcement pipeline in Sacramento provides local employment stability.
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 |
Sac State admits 94.0% of applicants and operates effectively as open-access. Scorecard does not report test score ranges. The barrier to value here is completion, not admission. Students should understand that the 56.3% graduation rate means a substantial share of enrollees will not reach graduation, which transforms an otherwise excellent ROI into a financial setback for non-completers.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Sac State's Scorecard peers include Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State Bakersfield, University of Utah, and George Mason University. At ROI 83, Sac State compares favorably with most peers. Its 0.80 earnings premium is higher than Cal Poly SLO (despite Cal Poly's stronger reputation), reflecting Sacramento's unique mix of healthcare and government employment. University of Utah (ROI 84) is the closest comparable in overall score. Sac State's nursing program outcomes are among the strongest in any peer comparison set.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
Sac State admits 94.0% of applicants -- near open-access. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT score data. With 28,350 enrolled students, it is one of the larger CSU campuses. Pell grant rate of 49.1% is among the highest in the system, reflecting strong first-generation and lower-income enrollment. The school's value is strongest for California residents pursuing engineering, nursing, computer science, or business. The 56.3% completion rate signals that students need proactive engagement with academic support.
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.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
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.