Topics covered
California State University, Sacramento is one of the prestigious and long-standing public universities in the state of California, USA. With an international standard training program and reasonable tuition fees, the university attracts more than 31,000 students every year. Furthermore, thanks to its location in the economic and political center of the state, the university offers a wealth of potential job opportunities for students. In this article, IDP will explore the admission requirements, tuition fees as well as attractive scholarships of California State University, Sacramento.
California State University, Sacramento (Sac State) was founded in 1947, is a public university located in Sacramento, the capital of the state of California. Strategically located in the political and economic center of the state of California, Sac State provides students with a dynamic learning environment and a variety of internship and employment opportunities in government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits.
California State University Sacramento is located in the political and economic center of California
The university currently brings together more than 31,000 students along with more than 1,600 faculty and staff, including more than 3,000 international students from 65 countries. The university offers 151 bachelor's programs, 69 master's programs, 28 teaching certificates, and 5 doctoral programs, meeting the diverse learning needs of domestic and international students.
California State University, Sacramento has a main campus of about 305 acres, located near U.S. Highway 50. The university has 30 research and community service centers, including the California Research Center, the Institute for Social Research, and the Small Business Center.
California State University, Sacramento has state-of-the-art facilities
The California State University Sacramento Library is the third-largest library in the California State University system, with more than 1.4 million books, 79 private classrooms, 4 meeting rooms, and 14 instructional classrooms. In addition, the university also owns a modern dormitory system such as Riverview Hall and American River Courtyard, which can accommodate more than 2,100 students.
Ranked #27 among Best Universities in the Western Region by U.S. News & World Report 2025.
Ranked #15 on the list of top universities in the Western region according to U.S. News & World Report 2025.
Top #37 Best Engineering Bachelor's Schools by U.S. New & Report.
Top #17 Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News & Report 2025.
Recognized as "Tree Campus USA" for many years thanks to its efforts in protecting the urban ecosystem and green space for the student community.
Ranked 10th in the nation in the number of bachelor's degrees in education granted to Latino students.
Set a record with more than $44 million in research funding in 2023-2024.
California State University, Sacramento stands out for its diverse academic programs, including 151 bachelor's programs, 69 master's programs, 28 teaching certificates, and 5 doctoral programs. Some of the prominent majors most chosen by students include:
Sales, Management, Marketing
Health
Social Sciences
Psychology
Technique
Security, Legal, Fire Protection
Family Science & Humanities
Media, Journalism
Entertainment, Sports, Kinesiology
Biological Sciences and Biomedical Sciences
To study in the U.S . at California State University, Sacramento, students need to meet the following entry criteria:
Undergraduate:
A minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or other equivalent certificates
Master's Level:
GPA from 2.5 to 3.25/4.0, depending on the specific requirements of each discipline
English language proficiency: minimum IELTS 6.5
Some majors require additional GMAT or GRE
A letter of introduction expresses the learning goals and orientation.
Two letters of recommendation from a lecturer or direct manager.
A personal CV summarizes your studies, work experience, and related activities.
Note: Admission requirements for California State University, Sacramento may vary, depending on the field of study and training program.
California State University, Sacramento belongs to the group of public universities with reasonable tuition fees compared to schools in the state of California, with a cost of only about 36,000 USD/year. Here are the tuition and living expenses while attending California State University, Sacramento:
Undergraduate tuition fee: about 20,000 USD/year, depending on the training program.
The cost of living is about 16,000 USD/year.
Note: The cost of studying in the U.S. at California State University, Sacramento can vary, depending on your field of study and the city you choose.
At California State University, Sacramento, international students have the opportunity to receive tuition support scholarships worth up to $396 per credit. The number of credits supported will depend on each training program and the quality of each student's application for approval.
However, this scholarship is only available to students who are currently studying at the university and need to apply early to increase their chances of being approved. One point to note is that the scholarship does not automatically renew each year, so students need to actively reapply if they want to continue receiving support in subsequent years.
California State University, Sacramento is an ideal choice for those who are looking for an international standard learning environment, reasonable tuition fees and many attractive scholarship opportunities in the US. Not only outstanding with a diverse system of disciplines and modern facilities, the university also owns a vibrant community of international students, especially Vietnamese international students.
If you are cherishing your plan to study in the U.S. at California State University, Sacramento, or any other University, don't hesitate to contact IDP for more detailed advice.
With more than 55 years of experience in study abroad consulting and an office system covering all over Vietnam, IDP is ready to accompany you throughout the journey, from choosing a school, applying for scholarships and visas, to finding accommodation and registering for the IELTS test. In addition, IDP regularly organizes online study abroad seminars, giving you the opportunity to communicate directly with university representatives.
Let IDP help you make your dream of studying in the U.S. a reality today!
IDP's Study Abroad Hotline: 19006955
Create your profile and unlock a wide array of features including personalised recommendations, fast-tracked applications and much more.
Dive into our extensive collection of articles by using our comprehensive topic search tool.