Sacramento City College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Sacramento City College, founded in 1916, is one of California's oldest community colleges. It serves a diverse population of over 25,000 students.
The college is renowned for its culinary arts and automotive programs. SCC's 'MESA' program supports STEM students from underrepresented groups.
Sacramento City College Acceptance Rate
Sacramento City College (SCC) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Sacramento City College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Sacramento City College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
SCC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at SCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Sacramento City College's verified institutional data
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Sacramento City College (SCC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if SCC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into SCC Without SAT or ACT?
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
SCC's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
The RN program uses a multicriteria enrollment form - a minimum of roughly 70 points from the criteria form places an applicant into a random-selection pool; there's no waitlist, and students must reapply every year if not selected. Have the student max out every scoreable criterion (life experience, veteran status, foreign language proficiency, prior degree) rather than relying on prerequisites alone.
Both RN and VN programs require the ATI TEAS exam (version 7 specifically) before application, with the VN program setting a hard floor around 62% and both tracks weighting the reading sub-score. Students should treat the TEAS like a gatekeeping exam and prep for it months ahead of the February application window.
Nursing applications for all tracks (RN, VN) open once a year, February 1?28, and everything is now submitted fully online with document uploads - mailed packets are no longer accepted. Missing this window means waiting a full year, so build the application timeline around this date specifically.
Students with a College and Career Access Pathways agreement between their high school and SCC get priority-3 registration as dual enrollment students - have juniors/seniors check with their high school counselor whether a CCAP agreement exists before assuming they have to wait until graduation to start earning SCC credit.
Students frequently assume general open admission (which SCC has) extends to nursing - it does not. The nursing program is a separate, points-based, lottery-style selection process layered on top of open general admission, and missing the once-a-year application window is a common, costly mistake.
SCC Profile
Is a SCC Degree Worth It?
At $13,062/year against a $42,214 median graduate salary, SCC is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $55,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.81%.
How much does a degree from SCC Cost?
The sticker price is $13,062/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $3,974.
25% of students receive a Pell Grant and 4.1% take federal loans at SCC. File your FAFSA early and list SCC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a SCC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $42,214. That's about 4% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at SCC
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SCC Admissions
Median earnings for Sacramento City College graduates sit around $42,214 a year.
At about $13,062 a year, Sacramento City College is on the more affordable end.
About 25.0% receive a Pell Grant at Sacramento City College. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
Sacramento City College follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
