California State University-Sacramento is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of California State University-Sacramento (Sacramento State) is 100%. This means that all applicants are admitted.
How Competitive are California State University-Sacramento Admissions?
- Not Competitive: Applicants with satisfactory academics can easily secure admission.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.

However, a 100% acceptance rate or open admission policy does not guarantee admission. Every institution has minimum eligibility criteria. If you meet these conditions, then you can be certain of admission. Additionally, to secure admission, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies.
California State University-Sacramento Admission Requirements
Sacramento State GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Sacramento State is 3.42. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A’s and B’s is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
If your GPA is between 3.12 and 3.42, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score. A minimum GPA of 3.02 is required.
Can I Get Into Sacramento State Without SAT Or ACT?: California State University-Sacramento does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
California State University-Sacramento (Sacramento State) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
California State University-Sacramento Average SAT Score: 1030
The average SAT score of the admitted students at California State University-Sacramento is 1030 on the 1600 SAT scale.
California State University-Sacramento SAT Competitiveness

This score makes it an easy target or SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1030 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (0 SAT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. California State University-Sacramento allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 0, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to Sacramento State. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
California State University-Sacramento SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|
SAT Math | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Reading | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SAT Composite | 1030 | 0 | 0 |
It means that if you have scored less than 0 then you are below most of the admitted students at Sacramento State and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 0 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into California State University-Sacramento (Sacramento State) with a 0 SAT?
With a 0 SAT Score, your chances of admission at California State University-Sacramento (Sacramento State) are good but the admission staff at Sacramento State tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Sacramento State Profile
Name: California State University-Sacramento (Sacramento State)
City: Sacramento
State: California
Type: Public
Zip: 95819-2694
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
How much does a degree from Sacramento State Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at California State University-Sacramento is USD: 21396. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at California State University-Sacramento is USD: 10911
How can I get a scholarship?
50.34% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 24.35 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Sacramento State and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At California State University-Sacramento, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Sacramento State as your choice in the form.
How much a Sacramento State Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the Sacramento State graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 64876. An average Sacramento State graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595

Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than California State University-Sacramento. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of California State University-Sacramento, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
University of West Alabama | University of West Alabama, AL | 1015 | 19 |
Central Baptist College | Central Baptist College, AR | 1011 | 21 |
Henderson State University | Henderson State University, AR | 1019 | 19 |
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
Trinity Baptist College | Trinity Baptist College, FL | 987 | 19 |
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, GA | 986 | 19 |
Point University | Point University, GA | 990 | 18 |
College of Coastal Georgia | College of Coastal Georgia, GA | 997 | 19 |
Clayton State University | Clayton State University, GA | 980 | 19 |
Columbus State University | Columbus State University, GA | 1020 | 20 |

Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as California State University-Sacramento. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for California State University-Sacramento, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Faulkner University | Faulkner University, AL | 1021 | 21 |
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
Metropolitan State University of Denver | Metropolitan State University of Denver, CO | 1025 | 20 |
Colorado State University Pueblo | Colorado State University Pueblo, CO | 1031 | 21 |
Columbus State University | Columbus State University, GA | 1020 | 20 |

More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than California State University-Sacramento. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School | Location | SAT | ACT |
---|---|---|---|
Huntingdon College | Huntingdon College, AL | 1086 | 21 |
Spring Hill College | Spring Hill College, AL | 1094 | 22 |
Tuskegee University | Tuskegee University, AL | 1091 | 21 |
University of Arkansas at Little Rock | University of Arkansas at Little Rock, AR | 1089 | 21 |
Arkansas Tech University | Arkansas Tech University, AR | 1090 | 21 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Anthropology
- Apparel and Textiles
- Area Studies
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Communication and Media Studies
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
Frequently Asked Questions About California State University-Sacramento Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, ranging from $50,000 to $80,000 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
Question: What is the tuition fee for California State University-Sacramento?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $10,000 to $30,000 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship at California State University-Sacramento?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are good, with about a 50-80% chance. Scholarships are competitive but achievable if you meet the criteria.
Question: What is the acceptance rate for California State University-Sacramento?
Answer: The acceptance rate is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Question: What is the average GPA of admitted students at California State University-Sacramento?
Answer: The average GPA of admitted students is . This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
Question: What is the minimum GPA required for admission to California State University-Sacramento?
Answer: The minimum GPA required for admission is typically around -0.3, though this can vary depending on other factors such as test scores, extracurriculars, and essays.
Question: What are my chances at California State University-Sacramento with a GPA 0.3 points lower than the average?
Answer: If your GPA is -0.4 or less, it may makes admission difficult -0.3. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays.
Question: Can I apply to California State University-Sacramento if my GPA is below 3.02
Answer: While the average GPA of admitted students is " .($university_data['gpas']). ", applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Question: Is it possible to transfer to California State University-Sacramento from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer to California State University-Sacramento each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: What is the campus culture like at California State University-Sacramento?
Answer: The campus culture at California State University-Sacramento is diverse and vibrant, with numerous student organizations, sports teams, and cultural activities. It’s an ideal environment for personal growth and building lifelong connections.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting into California State University-Sacramento?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by California State University-Sacramento.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.