You may see Sacramento State described as an affordable public university, then discover a cost estimate approaching $30,000 or more. The difference is not necessarily an error. Sac State tuition is only one part of the bill; campus fees, housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses can substantially increase the total cost of attendance.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, a full-time undergraduate pays $3,419 in systemwide tuition plus $1,409 in mandatory campus fees per semester. That equals $4,828 per semester, or $9,656 for the fall and spring terms combined. Your actual cost may be lower after grants and scholarships—or higher if you are a nonresident, live away from home, take summer classes, or have program-specific expenses.
How Much Is Sac State Tuition for Undergraduates?
Sacramento State is part of the California State University system. California residents at every CSU campus pay the systemwide tuition rate, while each campus adds its own mandatory fees.
- Full-time undergraduate tuition, 6.1 or more units: $3,419 per semester
- Mandatory campus fees: $1,409 per semester
- Total full-time registration charges: $4,828 per semester
- Total for fall and spring: $9,656
Students taking six units or fewer pay $1,981 in tuition each semester. After adding mandatory fees, the part-time total is $3,390 per semester. Because campus fees generally do not decrease with a lighter course load, attending part time does not reduce the bill in direct proportion to the number of units taken.
These figures apply to Fall 2026 and Spring 2027. Students should confirm current amounts through Sacramento State’s official tuition, fees, and living-cost information before registering or making a payment.
What Do Mandatory Campus Fees Cover?
The $1,409 semester fee is separate from Sac State tuition. It supports services, facilities, and activities that are available to the campus community. For 2026–2027, the mandatory fee total includes charges associated with:
- Associated Students programs
- Intercollegiate athletics and spirit programs
- Transportation services
- Recreation, intramural sports, and sports clubs
- The University Union and The WELL
- Health facilities
- Instruction-related activities
- Student health and counseling services
- The State Hornet student news organization
Students may not use every service, but these are generally required charges rather than optional memberships. Sac State also offers a Student Fee Assistance Program. For Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, eligible students may receive a $410 reimbursement, subject to available funds and application requirements.
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance
Cost of attendance is a planning estimate, not necessarily the amount Sac State will charge directly to your student account. It combines billed expenses, such as tuition, with estimated everyday expenses.
For a full-time undergraduate attending during 2026–2027, Sac State estimates the following nine-month totals:
- Living with parents: $28,424
- Living on campus: $36,444
- Living off campus: $40,904
Each estimate includes $9,656 in tuition and mandatory fees, $1,240 for books and course materials, and $3,808 for miscellaneous personal costs. The remaining amounts reflect housing, food, and transportation.
Living with family is estimated at $11,430 for living expenses and $2,290 for transportation. On-campus students have an estimated $20,212 living allowance and $1,528 transportation allowance. Off-campus students have the highest estimated budget: $23,504 for living expenses and $2,696 for transportation.
Your spending may look different. Sharing an apartment, using public transportation, buying used textbooks, or living with relatives can reduce costs. Parking, specialized equipment, frequent travel, or living alone can raise them.
Nonresident and WUE Costs
Students who are not classified as California residents normally pay the regular tuition and campus fees plus $471 for every enrolled unit. A nonresident taking 15 units in one semester would therefore pay an additional $7,065 for that term. Across two 15-unit semesters, the nonresident surcharge would add $14,130 to the annual bill.
Some students from participating western states may qualify for the Western Undergraduate Exchange, commonly called WUE. For 2026–2027, Sac State lists WUE registration charges of $6,538 per semester, including mandatory campus fees. Eligibility, available majors, and admission conditions should be checked carefully because WUE participation is not automatic.
If you are comparing residency-based pricing at different public universities, this guide to in-state and out-of-state tuition costs explains why a student’s residency classification can have such a large effect on the final bill.
Graduate and Credential Program Tuition
Sac State tuition varies by academic level. For 2026–2027, students taking more than six units pay $3,969 per semester in a credential program and $4,274 in a graduate or other post-baccalaureate program. After the $1,409 campus fee is added, semester totals are $5,378 and $5,683, respectively.
Doctoral programs have separate rates. Graduate business students may also pay an additional professional fee of $321 per unit. Students should budget according to their specific program rather than relying on the undergraduate rate.
Financial Aid That Can Lower the Cost
The published cost is not the same as every student’s net price. Grants and scholarships reduce what a student must cover through earnings, savings, or loans. Sac State financial aid may include:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
- Cal Grants
- State University Grants
- Middle Class Scholarships
- Educational Opportunity Program grants
- Sac State and departmental scholarships
- Federal work-study
- Federal student and parent loans
Grants and scholarships generally do not require repayment, while loans do. Work-study is earned through eligible employment rather than credited automatically as a lump-sum discount.
Students should submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application every year and include Sac State’s school code, 001150. For 2027–2028 priority funding, Sac State encourages applications by March 2, 2027. The university’s general scholarship application for that year also closes March 2, 2027. Applying early matters because some programs have limited funding.
How to Build a Realistic Sac State Budget
Start with your direct registration charges, then add the costs that match your living arrangement. Subtract confirmed grants and scholarships—not loans or hoped-for awards—to estimate the amount your household must cover.
- Confirm whether you are classified as a California resident.
- Compare living at home, on campus, and with roommates.
- Include books, transportation, food, and personal expenses.
- Review your financial aid offer for enrollment requirements.
- Check whether reducing units would delay graduation.
- Plan for possible summer tuition and annual fee changes.
For most full-time California undergraduates, the clearest starting number is $9,656 in tuition and mandatory fees for 2026–2027. The more important number, however, is net price: your total education and living costs after grants and scholarships. Building a personalized budget around that figure gives you a much more accurate picture of what attending Sacramento State will cost.
