California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, California · Public · 94.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 83/100 · Strong Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
California State University-Sacramento scores 83 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, driven by a 0.80 earnings premium, 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. Average 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. 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 11% of the schools we score, 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 |
| Average 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 first number you'll see is the sticker price: $8,018/year ($20,618/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $9,338/year, or roughly $37,352 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $6,501/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,861/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $15,000, which works out to about $159 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($41,800) and comes to 0.36, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
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. 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.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $18,861 - a total four-year cost of roughly $75,000. Against $41,800 average 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.
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): $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 strong.
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 | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.5% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 74.9% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 69.7% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 74.5% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How California State University-Sacramento’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
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.
| 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 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See California State University-Sacramento side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
Sac State admits 94.0% of applicants - near open-access. Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT score data. It has 28,350 enrolled students. Pell grant rate of 49.1% reflects 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
For most students, California State University-Sacramento pays off. You'd pay about $9,338 a year after aid ($37,352 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $64,876 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback - the time it takes for the earnings bump to cover what you spent - at roughly 5.9 years, a solid return.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $15,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $41,800 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
California State University-Sacramento: Common Questions
Is California State University-Sacramento worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students California State University-Sacramento pays off. It scores 83/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $9,338 a year after aid ($37,352 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $64,876 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 5.9 years to earn back.
How much does California State University-Sacramento cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $9,338 a year, or roughly $37,352 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do California State University-Sacramento graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $64,876 ten years after enrolling, roughly $23,076 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off California State University-Sacramento?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 5.9 years for California State University-Sacramento. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do California State University-Sacramento graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $15,000, against average earnings of $41,800 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Sacramento?
The six-year graduation rate is 56.3%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.