Cal State LA vs Sac State

California State University-Los Angeles (CSULA) and California State University-Sacramento (CSUS) are two esteemed public universities in California, each offering unique educational experiences. CSULA, located in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on community engagement. CSUS, situated in the state capital of Sacramento, is known for its excellent academic programs and its commitment to sustainability. While both universities share a common mission of providing high-quality education, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	California State University-Los Angeles	California State University-Sacramento
Overview
Location	Los Angeles, California	Sacramento, California
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	73.0%	81.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	90.5%	93.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	29,223	22,706
Total number of admissions given out	26,459	21,272
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,095	3,581
Yield rate	15.5%	16.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,619 Out of state: $44,499	In state: $31,488 Out of state: $43,368
Average net price	$2,695	$7,778
Tuition	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,712 Meal plan: $4,500	Room/dormitory: $7,744 Meal plan: $5,030
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	91.0% Average amount $10,909	80.0% Average amount $9,769
Students receiving federal student loan	11.0% Average amount $4,458	18.0% Average amount $4,607
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $8,862	0.0% Average amount $12,368

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	23,536 Men 40.6% Women 59.4%	29,451 Men 42.8% Women 57.2%
Graduate students	3,977 Men 36.4% Women 63.6%	3,047 Men 32.9% Women 67.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	1.1%	1.6%
International students	5.9%	4.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,565	2,173
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Illinois Minnesota Hawaii Maryland	California Washington Arizona Hawaii Alaska

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Education Engineering Psychology Public Administration and Social Service	Health Professions Engineering Education Social Sciences Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio	25:1	25:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	51.9%	57.5%
Dropout rate	39.4%	32.1%
Transferred out	3.1%	3.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,257 Year 2: $103,746 Year 3: $117,496 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,475 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $103,691 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,250 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $99,815 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $90,684 Year 2: $87,548 Year 3: $93,771 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,852 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $83,310 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $82,904 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,004 Year 2: $74,367 Year 3: $80,425 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,165 Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $77,214 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,370 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $72,371 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,775 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $71,643	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $105,852 Year 2: $108,495 Year 3: $114,088 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,797 Year 2: $90,412 Year 3: $101,346 Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,148 Year 2: $80,779 Year 3: $91,338 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,787 Year 2: $80,022 Year 3: $90,507 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $83,004 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $89,399 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,951 Year 2: $78,343 Year 3: $85,246 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,130 Year 2: $70,596 Year 3: $82,173 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,865 Year 2: $73,739 Year 3: $81,304 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,510 Year 2: $67,240 Year 3: $80,353 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,158 Year 2: $64,406 Year 3: $73,910

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Cal State LA and Sacramento State?

Cal State LA is located in the heart of Los Angeles, offering a vibrant urban experience and strong connections to industries like entertainment and technology. Sacramento State, on the other hand, is situated in California's capital city, providing a more traditional campus environment with close ties to government and public policy. Consider your preferred location and career aspirations when deciding.
Which university is larger, Cal State LA or Sacramento State?

Sacramento State is generally larger in terms of campus size and student population. Sacramento State typically enrolls around 30,000+ students, while Cal State LA has a student body of approximately 26,000+. If campus size and a larger student body are important to you, Sacramento State might be a better fit.
How do the academic programs compare between the two universities?

Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Cal State LA is known for its strong programs in engineering, nursing, and education, benefiting from its location in a major metropolitan area. Sacramento State excels in government, public policy, and environmental studies, reflecting its proximity to the state capitol. Research the specific programs you're interested in at each university to see which aligns best with your academic goals.
What is the campus culture like at Cal State LA versus Sacramento State?

Cal State LA's campus culture is diverse and reflects the multicultural environment of Los Angeles. It's a commuter-heavy campus, with many students living off-campus. Sacramento State offers a more traditional campus feel with a greater emphasis on on-campus living and student activities. Consider whether you prefer a vibrant urban environment or a more self-contained campus community.
How do the costs of attending Cal State LA and Sacramento State compare?

Tuition and fees are generally similar between Cal State LA and Sacramento State, as they are both part of the California State University system. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like housing, transportation, and personal expenses. Living in Los Angeles (Cal State LA) tends to be more expensive than living in Sacramento (Sacramento State), particularly when it comes to housing.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from Cal State LA versus Sacramento State?

Cal State LA offers excellent career opportunities in the Los Angeles area, particularly in industries like entertainment, technology, healthcare, and business. Sacramento State provides strong connections to government agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses in the Sacramento region. Your career goals should influence your choice of university.
Which university is better for students interested in government and public policy?

Sacramento State is generally considered a stronger choice for students interested in government and public policy due to its location in the state capital. This proximity provides numerous internship and networking opportunities with state agencies and legislative offices.
Does one university have better resources for specific student populations (e.g., first-generation students, transfer students)?

Both Cal State LA and Sacramento State are committed to supporting diverse student populations, including first-generation and transfer students. They offer a range of resources such as academic advising, tutoring, and mentorship programs. It's best to visit the websites of each university's student support services to see which programs best meet your individual needs.
What are the transportation options like at each university?

Cal State LA is accessible by public transportation, including the Metro Rail system, making it convenient for students who commute. Parking can be challenging. Sacramento State also offers public transportation options, including light rail, and has more ample parking facilities compared to Cal State LA. Consider your transportation needs when making your decision.
How do the graduation rates compare between Cal State LA and Sacramento State?

Graduation rates can vary depending on the specific program and student demographics. It's recommended to consult the official graduation rate data published by each university and the California State University system for the most up-to-date information. Factors like student preparedness and support services can influence graduation rates.

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