Colleges › California › Sacramento State
Sacramento State acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Also known as Sac State, CSUS, Cal State Sacramento, CSU Sacramento
Sacramento State accepts 94% of applicants. It is a public university in Sacramento, California, with about 28,350 undergraduates. The sticker price is $28,658 a year for state residents, but after aid the average family pays $11,186.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for Sac State?
Admitly estimates a typical California resident needs about a 2.7 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.0 for admission to be likely (80%+).
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into Sacramento State by GPA
Sacramento State does not consider SAT or ACT scores, so these chances assume no test score. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | California resident | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 38% Target | 16% Reach |
| 2.7 | 51% Target | 23% Reach |
| 3.0 | 81% Likely | 56% Target |
| 3.3 | 95% Likely | 84% Likely |
| 3.5 | 97% Likely | 93% Likely |
| 3.7 | 97% Likely | 97% Likely |
| 3.9 | 97% Likely | 97% Likely |
| 4.0 | 97% Likely | 97% Likely |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
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Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at Sacramento State
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $28,658 a year for state residents including room and board.
| Family income | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50k | $8,400 | $19,700 |
| $50k – $100k | $10,200 | $21,500 |
| $100k – $150k | $13,900 | $25,200 |
| $150k – $250k | $22,900 | $34,200 |
| Over $250k | $25,000 | $36,300 |
Out-of-state figures add most of the tuition difference, since state grants rarely follow students across state lines.
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about Sacramento State
What is the acceptance rate at Sacramento State?
Sacramento State admits 94% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into Sacramento State?
Admitly estimates a typical California resident needs about a 2.7 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.0 for admission to be likely (80%+). This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores (not considered here), activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Sacramento State?
Sacramento State does not consider SAT or ACT scores.
How much does Sacramento State cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $28,658 a year for state residents including room and board, but the average family pays $11,186 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $8,400 in-state.
What is the graduation rate at Sacramento State?
54% of students finish their degree, and 82% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to Sacramento State
- Cal State NorthridgeNorthridge, CA · admits 93%
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA · admits 85%
- University of California, RiversideRiverside, CA · admits 76%
- Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY · admits 94%
- University of KansasLawrence, KS · admits 93%
- North Dakota State UniversityFargo, ND · admits 95%