California State University, Sacramento
University in Sacramento, The United States
California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State, Sac State) is a public university in Sacramento, California (United States), and part of the California State University (CSU) system. The Carnegie Foundation classified it as an R2 research institution in 2025. It is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as an Honors Program, a Black Honors College and the Wileety Native American College. It has secured nearly $150 million for a new engineering building.
The International Programs and Global Engagement office (IPGE) handles international admissions, immigration support, study abroad and global partnerships. International first-year and transfer students can start in the fall or spring semester and apply online through Cal State Apply. Students who need to improve their English can reach the required level through the university's English Language Institute (ELI). On-campus housing is in North Village, run by University Housing Services.
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Admission
- Apply online through Cal State Apply; non-refundable fee of US$70
- Fall 2027 intake: applications 1 October to 15 May, documents by 30 May 2027
- Spring 2027 intake: applications 1 July to 4 October, documents by 18 October 2026
- First-year applicants: secondary school transcript and diploma with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 80% average
- Transfer applicants: minimum post-secondary GPA of 2.4 (higher for impacted majors); international transfers cannot apply for Nursing
- English test, passport copy, financial affidavit and bank statement
- Foreign credentials are evaluated in-house; no agency evaluation needed
Language requirements
- TOEFL iBT: 64 (tests before 21 January 2026) or 3.5 (from 21 January 2026); MyBest scores not accepted
- IELTS: 6.0
- Duolingo: 95
- PTE Academic: 50
- Sacramento State English Language Institute (ELI): level 7
Applicants from some English-speaking countries do not need a test.
Housing
On-campus housing is in North Village, run by University Housing Services, with meal plans. There is a live-on requirement, a reduced-rate student housing programme and resources for finding off-campus housing.