California State University-Sacramento prices its degrees accessibly across the income spectrum. Low-income families pay approximately $6,501 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $9,212, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,861.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $22,945 |
| Tuition and Fees | $20,618 |
| Room and Board | $19,174 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,160 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$13,607 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $9,338 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $6,501 |
| $30–48k | $7,001 |
| $48–75k | $9,212 |
| $75–110k | $11,814 |
| $110k+ | $18,861 |
California State University-Sacramento prices its degrees accessibly across the income spectrum. Low-income families pay approximately $6,501 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $9,212, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,861. Azimuth ranks California State University-Sacramento #67 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Sacramento State's aid structure draws on federal, state, and institutional sources. The university offers work-study as part of its aid package, per the financial aid page, alongside named scholarship programs including Sac State Scholars and broader institutional aid through its Financial Aid and Scholarships office. California's Cal Grant program provides additional need-based support for qualifying residents, which meaningfully reduces out-of-pocket costs for many low- and middle-income families. Families weighing the gap between published cost and actual price can explore how before drawing conclusions from the headline cost of attendance of $22,945. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $15,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,507; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $64,511, median federal debt of $15,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $169 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of California State University-Sacramento earn median earnings of $64,511 four years after enrollment, placing California State University-Sacramento in the 64.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure sits below the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $14,777 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 92.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures represent lifetime returns relative to CA's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $34,672, the state median earnings of working adults without a bachelor's degree. The degree mix at California State University-Sacramento is anchored by Business, which accounts for 12% of graduates, followed by Social Sciences at 9% and Engineering at 6%. Business Administration combines high enrollment with solid earnings, making it a key contributor to the institution's overall return profile. Azimuth ranks Business Administration #81 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions , with 935 graduates earning median earnings of $67,636 — 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Psychology, General program graduates 607 students with median earnings of $53,237, and Azimuth ranks Criminal Justice #11 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 568 graduates earning median earnings of $62,583. Communication and Media Studies adds further breadth, with Azimuth ranking it #46 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions and 448 graduates earning median earnings of $59,404.
