SJSU vs Cal State Sacramento: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for San Jose State University and California State University-Sacramento, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
SJSU vs Cal State Sacramento at a glance
SJSU admits 84.6% of applicants and Cal State Sacramento 94% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,241 at SJSU and $11,186 at Cal State Sacramento. Six-year graduation rates are 67.7% and 54.4%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- SJSU admits 84.6% of applicants and Cal State Sacramento 94%, so SJSU is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,241 a year at SJSU and $11,186 at Cal State Sacramento; Cal State Sacramento costs $3,055 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $10,381 at SJSU and $8,392 at Cal State Sacramento.
- 67.7% of students graduate within six years at SJSU, against 54.4% at Cal State Sacramento.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $83,493 for SJSU and $69,014 for Cal State Sacramento; SJSU is $14,479 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $14,750 at SJSU and $15,000 at Cal State Sacramento.
- SJSU enrolls 27,601 students (large city) and Cal State Sacramento 28,350 (large city).
Side by side
SJSU and Cal State Sacramento in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | SJSU | Cal State Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 84.6% | 94% |
| Applicants | 30,441 | 22,706 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,241 | $11,186 |
| Tuition, in state | $8,846 | $9,014 |
| Tuition, out of state | $22,166 | $22,334 |
| Cost of attendance | $28,920 | $25,925 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $10,381 | $8,392 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,669 | $8,782 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,135 | $10,198 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $15,813 | $13,905 |
| Over $110,000 | $24,449 | $21,169 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 67.7% | 54.4% |
| First-year retention | 86.8% | 81.9% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $83,493 | $69,014 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $14,750 | $15,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $168 | $170 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 27,601 | 28,350 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | City: Large |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Sacramento, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
SJSU reports 85 bachelor's programs and Cal State Sacramento 57; 47 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Psychology, General
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
- Communication and Media Studies
- Computer Science
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Questions about SJSU vs Cal State Sacramento
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into SJSU or Cal State Sacramento?
SJSU is harder to get into by acceptance rate: SJSU admits 84.6% of applicants and Cal State Sacramento admits 94%.
Which is cheaper, SJSU or Cal State Sacramento?
Cal State Sacramento has the lower average net price after grants: $14,241 a year at SJSU against $11,186 at Cal State Sacramento. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $10,381 and $8,392. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do SJSU or Cal State Sacramento graduates earn more?
SJSU graduates earn more at the median: $83,493 ten years after entry for SJSU and $69,014 for Cal State Sacramento. Median federal debt at graduation is $14,750 and $15,000.
Which has a higher graduation rate, SJSU or Cal State Sacramento?
SJSU does: 67.7% of SJSU students graduate within six years, against 54.4% at Cal State Sacramento.
How big are SJSU and Cal State Sacramento?
SJSU has 27,601 students in San Jose, CA and Cal State Sacramento has 28,350 students in Sacramento, CA.