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Public
Large
Big Sky Conference

California State University, Sacramento SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT Range860 to 1140
ACT Range17 to 22
Average GPA3.41
Acceptance Rate93.4%

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

Quick Facts

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.

Location

Sacramento, CA

Undergrad Enrollment28,226
Freshman Retention81%
SettingUrban
Student to Faculty Ratio23:1
Graduation Rate56%
Test PolicyTest-free

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Key California State University, Sacramento application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

May 1

Early Action

Offered

Early Decision

Not offered

Priority Deadline

November 30

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

March 2

Test dates

SAT 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

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

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.

House illustration
In-State Tuition$6,084
Out-of-State Tuition$18,684
Room and Board$18,756
Average Merit Award$1,127
Application Fee$70
Students on Aid74%
Average Aid Package$15,945
Average Debt at Grad$16,907

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

Activities and Organizations
Student newspaper
Drama and theater
Radio station
Marching band
Choral groups
Concert band
Jazz band
Symphony orchestra
Dance
Musical theater
Music ensembles
Student government
International student organization
Campus ministries
Housing

11% of undergrads live on campus

Freshman housing: No guarantee

Coed
Living-learning
Wellness
Greek life

Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 2% of men join fraternities, and 3% of women join sororities.

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