California State University, Sacramento SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
Sacramento State’s 93% acceptance rate means admission is broadly accessible, but the 56% six-year graduation rate makes readiness the real focus. Since the campus is test-free, put your energy into strong grades, steady coursework, and study habits that help you stay on track once you enroll.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
California State University, Sacramento facts and stats
California State University, Sacramento enrolls 28,226 undergraduates in an urban campus setting. Sacramento State has an 81% freshman retention rate, above the national average of roughly 70%, and a 56% 6-year graduation rate. The student-to-faculty ratio is 23:1. Sacramento State is test-free for admissions.
Sacramento, CA
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Key California State University, Sacramento application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
May 1
Early Action
Offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
November 30
Financial Aid Priority
March 2
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
Sacramento State is test-free, so SAT or ACT scores are not used for admission or the listed merit scholarships. You do not need to plan SAT/ACT sittings around Sacramento State’s deadlines, including the May 1 regular decision deadline; retakes and superscoring only matter for other test-using colleges on your list.
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What you'll actually pay
Sacramento State is a public Big Sky Conference school with in-state tuition of $6,084 and out-of-state tuition of $18,684. About 74% of students receive aid, and the average merit award is $1,127. Submit the FAFSA by the March 2 priority deadline.

At Sacramento State, out-of-state tuition is $18,684, compared with $6,084 in-state, and room and board is $18,756. About 74% of students receive aid, with an average aid package of $15,945. Merit awards are modest on average at $1,127. At graduation, students have an average debt of $16,907.
Student life at California State University, Sacramento
11% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: No guarantee
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 2% of men join fraternities, and 3% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CAAcceptance rate: 100%
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CAAcceptance rate: 81.5%
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CAAcceptance rate: 84.9%
American River College
Sacramento, CAAcceptance rate: 63%
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