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California State University-Sacramento

9.2(5)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1947
Founded
1947
Type
Public
University Guide

About California State University-Sacramento

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

Why Study in California State University Sacramento?

  • Student Acceptance: California State University Sacramento manifests a lightly selective admission policy with an acceptance rate of 83%.
  • Admission Requirements: International applicants need to demonstrate official academic transcripts with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (~83-86%), English proficiency test scores, standardized test scores, financial documents, immigration documents, SOP, LOR for USA and various other program specific documents.
  • Programs: International students willing to study in USA can take admission to more than 60 undergraduate programs and over 40 graduate programs at California State University Sacramento.
  • Application Deadlines: California State University admissions are available until January 7 for fall term and till August 31 for spring semester.
  • Cost of Attendance: The tuition and fees at California State University Sacramento ranges around 6,000-8,000 USD (~4.53-6 lakh INR) per annum.
  • Campus Accommodation: Living and boarding costs at the university campus ranges around 15,944 USD (~12 lakh INR) for a year. For students living off-campus, the cost approximates to 19,096 USD (~14.44 lakh INR) per year.
  • Scholarships: The university spends around 4 million USD in scholarships to study in USA. The scholarships are variable in amount and offered by the university, its colleges and specific departments.
  • Placements: The average salary of California State University - Sacramento alumni is 52,400 USD per annum. MBA in California State University is the highest paying degree offered by the university.

California State University Sacramento Rankings

  • #46 in Regional Universities West, by U.S. News and World Report

  • #21 in Top Performers on Social Mobility by U.S. News and World Report

  • #22 in Top Public Schools by U.S. News and World Report

  • #221 in Nursing by U.S. News and World Report

  • #377 in U.S. College Rankings by Times Higher Education

Highlights

Type Public
Established year 1947
Campus Setting Urban
Cost of Attendance USD 27,130(In Campus)
Student Retention Rate 81%
Test Scores accepted ACT/SAT/TOEFL/IELTS/GRE
Financial Aid Scholarships, Grants available
Admission Helpdesk [email protected]
(916) 278-6566

California State University Sacramento Campus

  • The university Campus Dining, operated by University Enterprises, Inc. offers the campus community with a wide variety of healthy, and great dining choices throughout the campus. 
  • The WELL is a 151,000 square foot facility with over 120,000 feet of recreational space, including six volleyball courts, five basketball courts, four racquetball courts, three fitness studios, an indoor track, approximately 16,000 square feet of cardio machine and free weights, as well as the largest climbing wall in the CSU system.
  • The University Library holds approximately 1.6 million books (including over 200,000 ebooks), as well as subscriptions to thousands of print and online magazines, technical and scholarly journals, and newspapers for students and staff resources.

California State University Sacramento Accommodation

  • The on-campus housing provides housing to approximately 2100+ residents living in seven residence halls offering a variety of living options including single and double rooms, and apartment-style suites.
  • Each residence hall provides furnished living accommodations along with Wi-Fi access, heating, Air conditioning, computer lab/print stations, cable TV, study rooms, recreation rooms, lounges, kitchenettes, and laundry facilities.
  • Health and Counseling facilities are available for both undergraduate and graduate students and students with medical conditions.

The list of the variety of housing options are :

  • American River Courtyard: This houses over 606 residents in an apartment-style suite setting providing a variety of rooming options including 1 to 5 residents' rooming options like 1 Bath Studio, 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Suite (4 Residents).
  • Desmond Hall: Desmond Hall is a co-ed residence hall that houses approximately 250 students. Most of the rooms are double rooms and a limited number of deluxe- double rooms. There are separate male and female bath facilities.
  • Draper Hall: Draper Hall is a co-ed residence hall that houses approximately 208 students. It provides double-occupancy rooms with separate sections for men and women.
  • Jenkins Hall: A co-ed residence providing double-occupancy rooms, housing over 250 students.
  • Sierra Hall and Sutter Hall: A co-ed residence with double, single and triple occupancy rooms and community bathrooms on each floor for both men and women.
  • Riverview Hall: The hall with the view of the American River provides a fitness center, Cardio Studio, Study Lounges, Computer lab, game and movie lounge, Laundry room, Community and Classroom space for students. First year students are allocated with the double rooms while the rest share 8single bedrooms with a shared bathroom.

California State University Sacramento Programs

  • California State University - Sacramento offers admissions into a range of courses for international students including over 60 Undergraduate, over 40 Graduate and 2 Doctorate Programs.
  • California State University - Sacramento offers a Pathway Program at the organization for upper-level undergraduates and master’s level students of any major to engage in high-quality educational research and enter a doctoral-level program in a field that conducts educational research.
  • At California State University - Sacramento, there is a Continuing Education Program designed for students for providing access to educational and professional programming that meets student and industry demands. 
  • The University offers MBA Programs in Finance, Business Analytics in Healthcare, Entrepreneurship and Global Business and General Management. Some of the popular programs include;
Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies Natural Sciences & Mathematics Engineering & Computer Sciences
Economics Chemistry Civil Engineering
Anthropology Geography Mechanical Engineering
Asian studies Biological Science Computer Science
Environmental studies Mathematics & Statistics Computer Engineering
Liberal studies Geology Construction Management
Psychology Physics & Astronomy Electrical Engineering

California State University - Sacramento Application Process

How to apply?

Application Portal: California State University official website

Application Fee: Non-refundable application fee of 70 USD is to be paid for the application.

Application Deadline: The application deadline is as follows :

Term Priority Application Filling Period (UG) Priority Application Filling Period (PG)
Spring August 1- December 1 August 1 - September 15
Fall October 1 - July 1 October 1- March 1
  • Basic Admission Requirements for Undergraduate students:
    • High school transcripts with minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
    • English proficiency test scores (TOEFL iBT -64 , IELTS-6. 0 )
    • Passport Biographical page copy
    • Financial Statement
  • Supporting Documents for Graduate students Admission
    • All Post-Secondary transcripts with GPA of 2.5-3.25
    • Degree Certificate
    • English proficiency test scores( TOEFL iBT-80 , TOEFL PBT - 550,IELTS- 65)
    • GRE or GMAT scores
    • Financial affidavit
    • LOR
    • Portfolio
    • Passport Biographical Page Copy
    • SOP for USA.

English Proficiency Requirements

International students need to display their proficiency in English through the following minimum standardized test scores to take admission in the university:

Test For Undergraduate Program For Graduate Program
TOEFL 64 IBT 80 IBT
IELTS 6.0 7.0
TOEFL 510 PBT 550 PBT

California State University Sacramento Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance depends upon several factors like the Undergraduate College applied for, tuition, books, fees, housing, dining and personal items. The distribution of expenses in the form of an estimated budget for international students in USA is as mentioned below.

Expenses Amount in USD
Tuition 3, 709
Books and Supplies 1, 972
Transportation 864
Miscellaneous Personal 1, 704
Student Health & Counseling Services Fee 129.50
Associated Students Inc. Fee 73.50

California State University Sacramento Scholarships

  • California State University - Sacramento provides financial aid in the form of awards and scholarships for international students in USA in cas they have demonstrated financial need.
  • Applicants who need financial assistance for their undergraduate course of study at California State University must apply for aid at the time of applying for admissions.
    • Financial aid application deadline:
    • March 2 for priority financial aid application filling date.
    • May 1 is the priority document submission date.
  • The types of financial aid at California State University - Sacramento, are grants, scholarships, work study and loans.

The university offers Sacramento State Scholarship for its graduate and undergraduate students studying at the university. The university offers scholarships worth nearly 4 million USD each year. All the scholarships can be applied via one single application.

Apart from the Sacramento State Scholarship, the university also offers department-specific scholarships for the students studying at the university. Scholarships are offered to undergraduate and graduate students who meet specific criteria. All departments and colleges offer scholarships thus helping the students fund their education. Some of the department-specific scholarships offered for international students by the university are:

  • John F. Wilhelm Memorial Scholarship, Literary Insight Award by the English Department.
  • The Professor Thomas Swift History Scholarship by the History Department.
  • Increase Robinson Memorial Fellowship Award by the Department of Arts.

Work While You Study

All F-1 student visa holders can work while studying however need to maintain a few guidelines as declared by the administration:

  • Students cannot work for more than 20 hours a week but can work more than 20 hours a week during holidays, summer breaks, or vacation periods.
  • Students should maintain an overall 2.0 GPS for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate programs.
  • Students should maintain a legal F-1, J-1 status while working on campus.

California State University Sacramento Alumni Network

The university has a strong network of alumni that functions through the Alumni Association of the University.

Some notable alumni of the University include:

Name Designation
Tom Hanks American Actor
Lester Holt American Journalist
Joe Carnahan American Film Director
Joe Serna Jr. Former Mayor of Sacramento
Bridget Marquardt American TV Personality
Lonie Paxton American Football Long Shopper
Buck Martinez American Baseball Manager
Joan Lunder American Journalist
Bill Emmerson Former California State Assemblyman
Charles Roberts American Footballer

The paid membership of the Alumni Association also provides perks like having the facility of reserving Harper Alumni Center, Alumni Grove and Aquatic Center for private events and many other facilities of library and bookstores are also there.

California State University Sacramento Placements

The institute arranged a Career fair in February, in which 117 companies participated. The university through their Placement Cell and Career Service Center help students hone their skills and interests and articulate them confidently in Resumes, Cover Letters, Interviews and Personal Statements. Average annual salaries according to the program of choice of the students at the university are as follows:

Course/degree Average Salary (USD)
MBA 128,000
Bachelor of Art 107,000
Bachelor of Sciences 86,000

FAQs

Ques. What is the acceptance rate of California State University, Sacramento?

Ans. The California State University, Sacramento is selective while accepting students for admission. The acceptance rate was 82% in fall.

Ques. What GPA is required to get in California State University, Sacramento?

Ans. An average GPA of 3.42 is required to get admissions to California State University, Sacramento.

Ques. Is California State University, Sacramento affordable in terms of housing?

Ans. Sacramento is a comparably affordable place to any other city in the US. It comes at number 22 in the list of most expensive cities nationwide. The average monthly expenses are USD 2,276.

Ques. What SAT or ACT score is required for California State University, Sacramento admissions?

Ans. In fall, half of the students admitted at California State University, Sacramento had SAT scores between 940 to 1140 while ACT scores between 16 to 22.

Ques. What is the tuition fee for domestic and international students at California State University, Sacramento?

Ans. The in-state tuition fee is USD 7,418 while the out-of-station fee is USD 11,180 at California State University, Sacramento.

Ques. Does California State University, Sacramento facilitate housing facilities at campus?

Ans. Yes. A total of 7% of admitted students live on campus and the rest all live out of campus.

Ques. What are some popular programs offered at CSU-Sacramento?

Ans. Some popular programs offered at CSU-Sacramento are Business, Management, Social Sciences, Human Sciences, Engineering, Psychology, and Criminal justice, etc.

Ques. Is Sacramento a good place to live in?

Ans. Sacramento is known as the state’s inland capital city. It has tree-lined streets, burgeoning food availability, wine and beer scenes, and affordable housing facilities. This all makes Sacramento an amusing city to live in.

Ques. What is the median salary of California State University, Sacramento graduates?

Ans. The median salary of graduates after 2 years of graduation is 38,600 USD per year.

Ques. What is the global ranking of CSU-Sacramento?

Ans. Times Higher Education has been ranked CSU-Sacramento in the list of 382nd of US College rankings while US News has ranked it 24th best college for veterans in the world.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

73

Fee from

₹9,74,875.56

Exams

IELTS · TOEFL

Showing 5 of 54 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 6 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 6,450 /Yr
Living Expense₹2072968
Estimated Total₹4222525
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

Recognized as the second most diverse university in the west, California State University- Sacramento invites admissions in the Fall and Spring semesters from International applicants. With an acceptance rate of 82% in the Fall, CSU-Sacramento admissions are slightly selective. More than 31,992 (28,819 undergraduate) students are enrolled in the university currently.

It offers 64 bachelor’s programs with 70 concentrations, 51 master’s programs with 26 concentrations, 5 doctoral degrees, 28 post-baccalaureate certificates, and 10 credential programs in the fields of Business, Education, Natural Science, Engineering, Social Science, and more.

California State University-Sacramento recommends applicants submit unofficial copies of the test scores with other supporting documents so that the admission team may provide an admission decision immediately. 

  • The Cal State Apply application cycle will close on June 30. 
  • Applicants for fall intake must check the deadline dates and submit their applications before the deadline.
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 80% in High School is required for undergraduate admissions.
  • Admitted applicants in the last admission cycle had the following profile:
    • SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 470-570
    • SAT Math: 470-570
    • ACT Composite: 16-22
  • All international applicants must review the CAL State international student application guide and international admissions process before applying.

Note: Due to the current COVID-19 situation, Sacramento State has transitioned most of its courses online and is offering virtual learning. It has also added a new bachelor of science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, that could help in recovering from the effects of the coronavirus shutdown. This degree will debut during the Fall semester.

Highlights

University type Public
Application portal online
Application fee (non-refundable) 70 USD
Mode of payment Credit/debit card or PayPal account
Acceptance rate  64 %
GPA Requirement 2.5-3.25
Academic calendar Semester based
On-campus housing facility Available
Financial aid Scholarships available
International Admissions Helpdesk [email protected]

California State University-Sacramento Acceptance Rate

In the Fall, it had an acceptance rate of 82% making CSU Sacramento admissions slightly selective. A total of 27,576 applicants applied for admissions this semester, out of which, 22,612 students were offered admission. Out of the accepted students, only 18% of the students finally enrolled.

Application Deadlines

Applicants must submit their applications along with all transcripts, test scores, and documents prior to the deadlines because after that university will not consider those applications for admission.

Term Priority Application Filling Period
Winter  June 1 - June 30
Spring August 1 - August 31
Fall  October 1 - November 30
  •  Students can still submit Fall applications for some graduate and undergraduate programs. 
  • The Fall undergraduate application period will close on June 30
  • Graduate programs have varying application deadlines.
  • Deadline for MBA programs (Fall)
Business Administration (MBA for Executives) June 26
Business Administration (International MBA) - ON-CAMPUS June 26

International Student Admissions

To be able to study in the US, international students must follow the application process provided on the Admissions page as well as the federal laws. The university asks for additional requirements from international students such as a certificate of eligibility and financial support, TOEFL OR IELTS score, minimum grade point equivalency, etc. 

Admission portal: All applications are to be made on the official portal of the university. 

Application fee: 70 USD for both undergraduate and graduate programs. 

Required Documentation:

  • Academic transcripts
  • Minimum GPA/score requirement
  • Scores of required standardized tests to study in US
  • Certificate of eligibility
  • Proof of financial support
  • Evidence of English proficiency
  • Additional requirements as specified by the program

English Language Requirement

Test Score required (UG) Score required (PG)
TOEFL 64 iBT or 500 pbt 80 iBT or 550 pbt
IELTS 6.0 6.5
PTE 50 65

Conditional Admission

Conditional Admission is available for applicants who are academically qualified but have not met the English language requirement. Students are issued a conditional admission letter and must attend and successfully complete intensive English classes at Sacramento State’s English Language Institute (ELI) prior to beginning their academic coursework.

Visa process for International Students

After the student is selected for admission, the university will email the Certificate of Eligibility for a Student Visa (I-20 form) and acceptance letter. Students are required to take these forms and other necessary documents to the U.S. Consulate to apply for an F-1 Student Visa.

  • Applicants must submit other documents related to Immigration status.
  • Students who are applying for a student visa for the first time are required to pay a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) payment of 100 USD. 
  • Students must show proof of financial support for a minimum of one year of study at the University along with an F-1 Visa Application.
  • Students have to demonstrate their English language proficiency.
  • Students must carry academic transcripts in English.
  • Students must also bring a completed Health Evaluation Form.

California State University- Sacramento Undergraduate Admission

More than 60 UG programs are offered at Sacramento State. For undergraduate admissions, applicants (first-time freshmen and transfers) must follow the following steps:

Application Portal: Cal State Apply.

Application Fee: 70 USD

Admission Requirements: Applicants must fulfill the following requirements to be eligible for California State University-Sacramento admissions:

  • Completed Application
  • Official High School Transcripts
    • Must be accompanied by English translations if not in English.
  • ACT or SAT Scores (Optional)
  • Minimum GPA Required: 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
  • Minimum of A-G acceptable academic units from an accredited high school for Domestic Applicants.
  • International applicants must submit English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo)
  • Financial Affidavit
  • Passport Copy (International Applicants)

California State University- Sacramento Graduate Admission

More than 40 graduate programs are offered by Cal State Sacramento. The application requirements are different for each program and thus international students must carefully go through the respective website of their choice of program.

Application Portal: Application online at Cal State Apply

Application Fee: 70 USD

  • International applicants must have an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree to apply for a graduate program.
  • Students must submit the international Application fee
  • Graduate programs at Sacramento State University have specific academic requirements which are discussed below.

Other supporting documents:

  • Copy of biographical page of the passport
  • Financial Affidavit form
  • Financial statement of minimum 29,300 USD required for I-20 to be issued.

Academic requirements for some of the popular courses offered by Sacramento State are tabulated below: 

Course Minimum GPA requirement Required tests Required supplemental materials
MBA for executives 2.5 GMAT/GRE LORs, CV, personal statements, GMAT/GRE
MA (Child Development) 3.0 None Personal statement, 2 LOR
MA (Communication Studies) 3.0-3.25 GRE SOP, 3 LOR, 2 Writing samples, CV
MS (Computer Science) 3.0 GRE None
MA(Economics) 3.0 GRE 2 LOR

FAQs

Ques. Has Sacramento State closed the campus?

Ans. Sacramento State is open, but most of its campus buildings and facilities have closed until the Covid-19 crisis eases. Sacramento State is currently conducting online classes and will possibly continue until Aug. 21.

Ques. How can I submit my test results to Sacramento State?

Ans. Students can send their Official TOEFL score and GRE score reports to Sacramento State through ETS using school code 004671. However, Official IELTS Test Report Forms must be sent from the testing organization through mail directly to Sacramento State at the following address: ATTN: International Admissions California State University, Sacramento 6000 J St, Library 1001, MS 6012 Sacramento, CA -95819-6012 USA

Ques. Can I submit my financial documents after an admission decision is made?

Ans. Sacramento recommends that applicants submit their financial documents along with all the supporting application documents so that the university might issue an I-20 form with the admission letter.

Ques. Does Sacramento State accept unofficial transcripts?

Ans. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application review process. Students must submit their official transcripts in sealed envelopes before the start of the semester. Failure to submit transcripts might prevent you from course registration.

Ques. What are the most popular programs at California State University-Sacramento?

Ans.  Popular programs include Business Administration, Psychology, Nursing, Communications, Biology, Computer Science, and Criminal Justice.

Ques. What is the minimum GPA required to be eligible for CSU-Sacramento admissions?

Ans. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 80% in High School is required for undergraduate admissions.

Ques. Can the applicants submit an unofficial transcript?

Ans. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application review process. Official transcripts must be submitted before the start of the semester. Failure to submit transcripts will prevent you from course registration.

Ques. Are there any majors International Students not eligible to apply for?

Ans. The only program that is currently closed to undergraduate applicants is the Nursing program. All other undergraduates and graduate programs are open to international students.

Ques. What are the English Proficiency Test Score requirements for Undergraduate Applicants?

Ans. Scores of any one of the following tests can be submitted to the University: TOEFL: 64 iBT or IELTS: 6.0 or DuoLingo: 95 or Sacramento State ELI: Level 7 or PTE Academic: 50 or GTEC: 1125.

Ques. What is the tuition fee for undergraduate students?

Ans. The tuition fees for students is on a per-unit basis. 6 or fewer units have a tuition fee of USD 1,665 and 6 or more units students are required to pay a fee of USD 2,871.

Ques. By when do the Undergraduate Applicants receive the Admission decision?

Ans. Once the University receives all required documents to review. Usually, an admission decision will be sent via email within 2-3 business days. Please note that Sending incomplete and/or illegible documents will delay the admission review process and the Team’s ability to provide an admission decision in a timely manner

Ques. Can financial documents be submitted post the Admission decision confirmation?

Ans. It is recommended that you submit your financial documents along with all of your supporting application documents so that we may issue your electronic Form I-20 with your admission letter. You may also choose to wait until an admission offer is made to submit financial documents.

Placements & Recruiters

California State University-Sacramento Placement Details

California State University-Sacramento in Sacramento, California, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Sacramento, California, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2020

Highlights
2020
  • Best overall country rank: #298
  • Overall: #298 in country
  • Top source: CWUR
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2020

2021

Highlights
2021
  • Best overall country rank: #298
  • Overall: #298 in country
  • Top source: CWUR
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2021

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #291
  • Physics: #27 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 2 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Physics, Overall
  • 3 ranking records in 2022

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #95
  • Overall: #95 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #245
  • Overall: #245 in country
  • Top source: CWUR
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2025

Contact Information

6000 J Street

+1-916-278-6011

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

9.2/10
Top Rated

Based on 5 ratings

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
9.6/10
Faculty
9.4/10
Infrastructure
8.8/10
Accommodation
8.6/10
Placement
9.4/10
Extracurricular
9.6/10