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California State University-Sacramento vs University of California-Los Angeles

California State University-Sacramento is a public university in Sacramento, CA. University of California-Los Angeles is a public university in Los Angeles, CA. University of California-Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants and California State University-Sacramento about 94%, making University of California-Los Angeles the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $9,338 a year at California State University-Sacramento after aid, and about $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles. About 93% of students graduate at University of California-Los Angeles, compared with 56% at California State University-Sacramento. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Los Angeles alumni earn a median of about $82,511, against $64,876 for California State University-Sacramento.

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Sacramento, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
28,350
33,475
Acceptance rate
94%
9%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.14–3.64
3.51–4
SAT (middle 50%)
930–1130
1300–1530
ACT (middle 50%)
17–23
29–35
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$9,338
$12,548
Full cost / yr
$22,945
$38,614
In-state tuition
$8,018
$15,203
Out-of-state tuition
$20,618
$49,403
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$6,501
$5,579
$30k - $48k
$7,001
$6,682
$48k - $75k
$9,212
$9,811
$75k - $110k
$11,814
$14,142
Over $110k
$18,861
$29,682
Outcomes
Graduation rate
56%
93%
Freshman retention
82%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$51,074
$59,063
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,876
$82,511
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
$14,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
49%
28%
First-generation students
49%
38%
International students
2%
8%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Dec 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Dec 15
Nov 30

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California State University-Sacramento or University of California-Los Angeles harder to get into?
University of California-Los Angeles is harder to get into. It admits about 9% of applicants, compared with 94% at California State University-Sacramento. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Sacramento or University of California-Los Angeles?
California State University-Sacramento is cheaper on average. Students pay about $9,338 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-Sacramento and University of California-Los Angeles?
Before aid, California State University-Sacramento costs about $22,945 a year and University of California-Los Angeles about $38,614. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-Sacramento or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,579 there, against about $6,501 at California State University-Sacramento. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California State University-Sacramento or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is the larger of the two, with about 33,475 undergraduates against 28,350 at California State University-Sacramento.
Does California State University-Sacramento or University of California-Los Angeles have a better graduation rate?
University of California-Los Angeles has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 56% at California State University-Sacramento.
Do graduates of California State University-Sacramento or University of California-Los Angeles earn more?
University of California-Los Angeles alumni earn more on average: a median of about $82,511 ten years after enrolling, against about $64,876 for California State University-Sacramento. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California State University-Sacramento and University of California-Los Angeles require SAT or ACT scores?
California State University-Sacramento is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of California-Los Angeles is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do California State University-Sacramento and University of California-Los Angeles look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 930–1130 at California State University-Sacramento and 1300–1530 at University of California-Los Angeles. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school