Understanding Sacramento State University Tuition Fees

California State University, Sacramento (Sac State) offers a variety of programs and resources to its students. A significant aspect of attending any university is understanding the costs involved. This article breaks down the tuition fees, financial aid options, and payment policies at Sac State to provide a comprehensive overview for prospective and current students.

Systemwide Tuition and Mandatory Fees

All students enrolled at a CSU campus, including Sac State, are required to pay a systemwide tuition fee per semester. In addition to this, there are also campus mandatory fees that cover a range of services and activities. Non-resident students pay an additional per-unit fee, and some graduate business programs have their own additional per-unit fee.

Breakdown of Mandatory Fees

Mandatory fees at Sac State support various aspects of student life and academic enrichment:

Fee: This covers non-instructional activities and programs designed to benefit all students and maintain their well-being.
Intercollegiate Athletics/Spirit Leaders Fee: Supports intercollegiate athletics and spirit leaders.
Recreation, Intramural, and Sports Clubs Fee: Provides support to recreational sports programs.
Instructional Related Activities Fee: Funds essential educational experiences and activities that supplement the university's educational mission. This includes laboratory experiences and other activities closely related to formal instructional offerings.
Student Health & Counseling Services Fee: Provides basic health services to students at the Health Center.
State Hornet Fee: Supports the State Hornet Student News Organization.

Tuition Costs: In-State vs. Out-of-State

The cost of tuition at California State University--Sacramento differs significantly between in-state and out-of-state students. For in-state students, the tuition is $8,018 per year. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is $20,618 per year.

Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,201, California State University--Sacramento is cheaper. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is cheaper than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,084. These figures, often referred to as the sticker price, include both tuition and fees.

Additional Costs to Consider

Beyond tuition and mandatory fees, students should also consider the total cost of attendance, which includes:

Books and Supplies: Estimated at $1,136 per year.
Personal Expenses: Approximately $2,672 per year.
Transportation: Around $1,266 per year.
Room and board: The room and board expenses included in the off-campus Cost of Attendance represent the typical costs students pay when enrolled at Sac State. Actual costs of room and board will vary.

Understanding Net Price

As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price. The average net price, which factors in grants and scholarships, is a more personalized estimate of what a student might actually pay. The average net price is $11,183 per year.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Sacramento State offers various financial aid options to help students manage the cost of their education. Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Types of Financial Aid

Need-Based Scholarships and Grants: These are awarded based on a student’s financial status. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at California State University--Sacramento was $23,802. In fall 2022, 75% of first-year students received need-based financial aid. The university met 58% of its students’ financial aid need.
Need-Based Self-Help Aid: This includes federal loans and work-study programs. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $3,441.
Merit-Based Aid: Also known as non-need-based aid, this is awarded for specific talents or academic achievements. The average non-need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at California State University--Sacramento - excluding any athletic scholarships, if applicable - was $1,081.

Student Fee Assistance Program (SFAP)

Sacramento State offers the Student Fee Assistance Program (SFAP) to help cover a portion of the mandatory fees, starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. To qualify, submit your application by the census date of the semester you’re requesting aid. The reimbursements will be processed for disbursement after the census date.

Key Financial Aid Dates

Application Due: March 2. The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.
Priority Application Due: March 2. Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.
Notification Date: April 16. When students receive a letter with the amount and types of aid the college is offering.

Student Loan Debt

How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate.

At California State University--Sacramento, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $15,000. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $159.

Additionally, 2% of graduating students at California State University--Sacramento took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $16,992 in private loan debt at graduation.

Payment Options and Policies

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Tuition Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU reserves the right, even after tuition or fees are initially made, to increase or modify any listed tuition or fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide tuition, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester has begun. All CSU listed tuition fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by The Board of Trustees, the chancellor, or presidents, as appropriate. All students are required to pay tuition and registration fees. Additionally, nonresident, foreign-visa and graduate professional business students are required to pay per unit tuition and/or fees. Fees for auditing courses are the same as for those receiving credit for a course. Fees are payable based on the term registration date. The tuition fees and campus fees listed are accurate at the time of posting and are subject to change.

Sacramento State offers multiple payment options to accommodate students' diverse financial situations:

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards may be used for payment of student tuition and fees but will be subject to a non-refundable 2.65% credit card processing fee.
Electronic Check: Using a checking account number and routing number (eCheck).
In-Person: Cash, check, money orders, OneCard and credit card checks are accepted for payment of registration fees.

Tuition Fees Installment Plan

The tuition fees installment plan allows tuition fees and mandatory campus fees to be paid in multiple installments. The first payment is due on your original due date. Payments can start as early as June for the Fall term, and January for the Spring term. Therefore, you may have from 3-6 months of payments, depending on when you get on the payment plan. You must be registered before you elect to use the installment plan. Payments are due monthly through November for the Fall term, and through April for the Spring term. You may not use the IPP if you have a fee waiver or a third-party sponsor.

Read also: ESU Tuition Guide

Other fees

Late Registration Fee - This fee applies to those registering during the late registration period.
Course Fees - Campus departments may add additional course fees to your account. Most of these fees are added at the time of registration or shortly thereafter.
Course Reserves: Items one (1) day overdue are assessed a $90 lost item replacement fee.
Once an item becomes 45 days overdue, a $90 lost item replacement fee is assessed.

Note: This is not a complete listing of all fees that may be charged by the University. The fees listed were the most accurate available as of this posting and are subject to change.

Refund Policies

Regulations governing the refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, for students enrolling at the California State University (CSU) are included in Section 41802 of Title 5, California Code of Regulations. For purposes of the refund policy, mandatory fees are defined as those systemwide and campus fees that are required to be paid in order to enroll in state-supported academic programs at the CSU.

In order to receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, less an administrative charge established by the university, a student must cancel registration or drop all courses prior to the first day of instruction for the term. For state-supported semesters, quarters and non-standard terms or courses of four weeks or more, a student who withdraws during the term in accordance with the university’s established procedures or drops all courses prior to the university-designated drop period will receive a refund of tuition and mandatory fees, including nonresident tuition, based on the portion of the term during which the student was enrolled.

Refunds will first be applied to any outstanding debt owed to the University. Refunds of checks, echecks, or debit payment will be subject to a waiting period of 10 business days. International payments will be subject to a waiting period of 20 business days.

Students who officially withdraw from the University prior to the first day of instruction will receive a 100% refund of Graduate Business Professional fees, tuition fees, campus fees, and non-resident tuition (minus a $10 processing fee). After this date students are eligible to receive a pro-rated refund only if withdrawing from all classes. Beginning with the first day of instruction through the 60% date of the semester, refunds will be on a pro-rata basis using the official withdrawal date. Students are not eligible to receive a refund for withdrawing after the 60% date.

Specific Refund Scenarios:

Dropping from Full to Half Time: Students who drop from full to half time by census date are eligible to receive a 100% refund of the difference in tuition fees, minus a $10 processing fee. Non-resident students who drop units by census date are eligible to receive a 100% refund of the difference of non-resident tuition minus a $10.00 processing fee. Resident and Non-resident students who drop from full to half-time after these dates are not eligible to receive a refund. Resident students who drop units from full-time to half-time and non-resident students who drop units by the campus add/drop deadline will receive a refund of the difference in tuition fees and/or applicable non-resident tuition.Please note that the processing of drop-in-unit refunds will not begin until after the first two weeks of the term.
Extension Courses: Extension course tuition refund applications must be submitted to the University's College of Continuing Education prior to the first meeting of the class for a full refund, less a $10 processing fee. A $10 processing fee is charged on all Special Session tuition refunds. Refund applications must be submitted to the University's College of Continuing Education prior to the first meeting of the class for a full refund. Refunds are still issued per your program’s refund policy. If you drop any time within the first 25% of the course, including the first day of class, you will get a 65% refund minus a $10 processing fee. If you have not paid for your course yet, you will still owe the other 35% of your tuition. If you drop after the first 25% of the class has elapsed, you will not receive a refund.
Parking Fees: Parking fee refund applications will be honored only if the student returns the parking permit with the refund application.

Impact of Withdrawal on Financial Aid

A student who receives aid and withdraws, drops units, is expelled, etc., during or after the first day of enrollment will be reviewed in accordance with the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy. Federal regulations require the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office to calculate a Return of Title IV Funds for students who withdraw during the semester. Department of Education. The earned portion is calculated on a daily basis using calendar days from the first day of instruction. Students are required to “officially” withdraw from the University. A repayment situation may occur when a student receives aid and ceases attendance. The Federal Formula will determine if the disbursement was greater than the student’s expenses up to the withdrawal date.

Important Policies and Obligations

Prospective students who register for courses offered by the university are obligated for the payment of charges and fees associated with registration for those courses. The institution may withhold permission to register or other services offered by the institution from anyone owing fees or another debt to the institution. The institution may not withhold an official transcript of grades by the institution from anyone owing fees or another debt to the institution (see Title 1.6C.7 (commencing with Section 1788.90) Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code).

Students who find it necessary to cancel their registration or to withdraw from all classes after enrolling for any academic term are required to follow the University’s official withdrawal procedures. Failure to follow formal University procedures may result in an obligation to pay fees as well as the assignment of failing grades in all courses and the need to apply for readmission before being permitted to enroll in another academic term. Students who receive financial aid funds must consult with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from the university regarding any required return or repayment of grant or loan assistance received for that academic term or payment period.

Penalties

In the event a check or credit card payment for registration fee is returned, the total penalty fee is $45 ($20.00 returned check or credit card fee and a $25 late registration fee if applicable). Stop Payment on a check or credit card payment of registration fees is not acceptable as notice of withdrawal from classes. Bad Checks - persons having more than one check returned to the University from the bank will not have any checks accepted for their duration at Sacramento State. This includes checks written by another party on the individual’s behalf.

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