California State University, Sacramento: Excellence in Education, Diversity & Community Impact

California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State or Sac State), founded in 1947, is a prominent public university in California’s capital, known for its commitment to diversity, academic excellence, and community engagement. With over 31,000 students and a broad array of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across multiple colleges, it plays a key role in California’s workforce and higher education landscape.

The university boasts a lush, sustainable 300-acre campus and offers extensive student resources, including LEED-certified facilities, ROTC programs, and public radio stations. Sac State is recognized for its support of underrepresented students and its designation as an HSI, AANAPISI, and BSI institution. Its athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I, and its research and outreach initiatives contribute significantly to regional development. Despite recent financial challenges, Sacramento State remains focused on teaching, innovation, and public service, supported by a strong network of distinguished alumni and community partnerships.

California State University, Sacramento: A Hub of Education, Innovation, and Community Impact

California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State or Sac State) stands as a prominent public university in the heart of California’s capital. Established in 1947, it has grown into a vital institution within the California State University (CSU) system, known for its diverse student body, commitment to accessibility, and significant contributions to the region.

A Rich History and Continuous Growth

Sacramento State’s journey began with the vision of State Senator Earl D. Desmond, leading to its founding in 1947. Its inaugural semester saw 235 students in 44 sections. Initially sharing facilities with Sacramento Junior College, the university laid the groundwork for its own 300-acre campus along the American River, with “Migration Day” in 1953 marking its official move. The campus has since blossomed into a recognized “urban forest,” a testament to its commitment to a beautiful and sustainable environment.

The university has consistently expanded its offerings and reach. From its first graduate in 1948, it now graduates approximately 7,000 students annually, contributing significantly to California’s workforce.

Academic Excellence and Diverse Programs

Sacramento State offers a comprehensive array of academic programs across various disciplines. It comprises several colleges:

• College of Arts & Letters
• College of Business
• College of Continuing Education
• College of Education
• College of Engineering & Computer Science
• College of Health & Human Services
• College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
• College of Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Studies

The university boasts a wide range of degrees, including:

• 151 bachelor’s degrees
• 69 master’s degrees
• 28 types of teaching credentials
• 5 doctoral degrees (including an Audiology (AUD) and Educational Leadership Doctorate)

Popular programs include Business, Management, Marketing, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Law. The institution is particularly noted for its Capital Fellows Program, offering graduate students full-time staff positions in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of state government.

Campus and Facilities: An Urban Oasis

Spanning 300 acres, the Sacramento State campus is renowned for its lush landscaping and over 3,500 trees, earning it the “Tree Campus USA” designation. Key facilities include:

• The American River Courtyard: A modern, suite-style residence hall with private bedrooms, kitchenettes, and in-suite bathrooms.
• The WELL: A state-of-the-art recreation and wellness center featuring gym space, fitness equipment, medical facilities, an indoor track, and a rock-climbing wall. Both the American River Courtyard and The WELL are LEED Gold certified, highlighting the university’s commitment to sustainability.
• Residence Halls: The university provides accommodation for over 1600 students in 8 residence halls, including Desmond, Draper, Jenkins, Riverview, Sierra, and Sutter Halls.
• Adjacent to American River Parkway: Miles of riverfront trails for recreation are easily accessible from campus.

Sacramento State also operates several auxiliary organizations that enhance the student and community experience:

• Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Detachment 088: The largest AFROTC Detachment in Northern California.
• Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC): An extension of the Forged Gold Battalion based at UC Davis, it has received the gold MacArthur ROTC Leadership Award.
• Associated Students Inc. (ASI): A non-profit corporation providing programs, services, and student government, with a budget exceeding $10 million. ASI manages Peak Adventures, the Aquatic Center, the Children’s Center, and the ASI student shop.
• ASI Children’s Center: An NAEYC-accredited daycare for children of faculty, staff, and students.
• Capital Public Radio, Inc.: Sacramento State owns and operates public radio stations KXPR (classical and jazz) and KXJZ (local news and talk) in cooperation with Capital Public Radio, a listener-supported NPR affiliate.

Student Body and Demographics

In 2023, Sacramento State enrolled 31,172 students, with 23,988 full-time and 7,184 part-time. The university boasts a high acceptance rate of 93.6% (based on 2023 undergraduate applications). The retention rate for full-time undergraduates was 81%, exceeding the average for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

The student body is notably diverse, with a significant representation of minority groups. In 2023, the enrolled student population included:

• 37.6% Hispanic or Latino
• 22.9% White
• 20.2% Asian
• 6.44% Black or African American
• 5.78% Two or More Races
• 0.95% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders
• 0.266% American Indian or Alaska Native
• 3.63% did not report race.

Sacramento State is recognized as an Asian American & Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and a Black-Serving Institution (BSI) by the state of California, reflecting its commitment to supporting diverse student populations. Approximately 29% of students are the first in their families to attend college, and 48% are Pell Grant eligible.

Athletics: Hornet Pride

Sacramento State’s athletic teams, the Hornets, compete at the NCAA Division I level. Most sports are affiliated with the Big Sky Conference. However, several teams hold affiliations with other conferences:

• Baseball: Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
• Men’s Soccer & Beach Volleyball: Big West Conference (Sacramento State will join the Big West as a full member beginning in the 2026-27 academic year for 16 sports.)
• Gymnastics: Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF)
• Rowing: American Athletic Conference (AAC)
• Men’s Golf: Big West Conference (since 2024 as an affiliate member)

The university emphasizes both academic excellence and athletic achievement, providing a competitive environment for its student-athletes.

Research and Community Engagement

Sacramento State is a growing center for research, innovation, and community engagement. The university actively supports faculty and student research through various grants and programs, including:

• Pivot: A searchable database for funding opportunities across disciplines.
• GRANTSEARCH: A database of over 1,500 cyclical funding opportunities.
• Research Enhanced Support Grant (RESG): Provides seed funding for preliminary research.
• Anchor University Grants Program: Supports community projects focused on partnerships and community-based research in the Sacramento region.
• Faculty Research Fellows Program (FRFP): Links university policy research with the needs of state government.
• Graduate Equity Fellowship: A grant for economically and educationally disadvantaged graduate students.
• California Pre-Doctoral Program (Sally Casanova): Supports doctoral aspirations of CSU students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive/Forgivable Loan Program: Encourages CSU faculty diversity.

The Office of Community Relations and Campus Engagement plays a crucial role in fostering strategic partnerships and promoting the university within the six-county Sacramento region. The Community Engagement Center (CEC) facilitates experiential learning, academic internships, community-engaged research, and community service, building sustainable partnerships with local non-profits, schools, businesses, and government agencies.

Notable Alumni

Sacramento State boasts a distinguished list of alumni who have excelled in various fields, including entertainment, journalism, politics, and sports. Some prominent examples include:

• Tom Hanks (Actor)
• Lester Holt (NBC News Anchor)
• Bobby McFerrin (Singer, Songwriter, Conductor)
• Ryan Coogler (Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter – Black Panther)
• Joan Lunden (Journalist, Author, Television Host – Good Morning America)
• Edward James Olmos (Actor)
• Janice Rogers Brown (American Jurist)
• Creed Bratton (Actor, Musician – The Office)
• Chi Cheng (Musician – Deftones)
• Bridget Marquardt (Television Personality)
• Carlos Alazraqui (Voice Actor)
• Buck Martinez (Former Professional Baseball Catcher and Manager)

Recent Initiatives and Future Outlook (2024-2025)

As of 2024-2025, Sacramento State continues to navigate a challenging financial landscape. The university anticipates a significant budget deficit due to a cut in CSU baseline funding from the state, alongside rising inflationary and benefit costs. This has led to the difficult decision of reducing administrator positions to preserve faculty and staff roles and maintain student services.

Despite financial constraints, the university remains focused on its core mission:

• Teaching excellence and student success: Prioritizing direct interaction between students and dedicated faculty.
• Collaborative research and scholarship: Continuing to foster an environment of innovation.
• Community engagement and partnerships: Deepening its role as an “Anchor University” for the Sacramento region.
• External funding opportunities: Actively seeking grants and other resources to support its initiatives.

California State University, Sacramento, with its rich history, diverse academic offerings, vibrant campus, and strong community ties, continues to be a driving force in education and regional development, preparing thousands of graduates to make significant contributions to their careers and communities.

FAQs about California State University

What is California State University, Sacramento best known for?
Sacramento State is known for its commitment to diversity, accessibility, academic excellence, and strong ties to the Sacramento community and state government.

When was Sacramento State founded?
It was founded in 1947 through the efforts of State Senator Earl D. Desmond.

Where is Sacramento State located?
The university is located in Sacramento, California, along the American River.

How large is the Sacramento State campus?
The campus spans 300 acres and is designated as a “Tree Campus USA” for its sustainability and urban forest environment.

How many students attend Sacramento State?
As of 2023, the university enrolls 31,172 students, including 23,988 full-time and 7,184 part-time students.

What is the student demographic at Sacramento State?
The student body is highly diverse: 37.6% Hispanic/Latino, 22.9% White, 20.2% Asian, 6.44% Black/African American, and others, with nearly 29% being first-generation college students.

Is Sacramento State a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)?
Yes, it is designated as an HSI, as well as an AANAPISI (Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution) and a Black-Serving Institution (BSI).

What degrees and programs are offered at Sacramento State?
Sac State offers 151 bachelor’s degrees, 69 master’s degrees, 5 doctoral programs, and 28 teaching credential types.

What are the most popular majors at Sacramento State?
Popular majors include Business, Management, Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Law.

How many colleges are part of Sacramento State?
There are nine colleges, including Arts & Letters, Business, Education, Engineering & Computer Science, Health & Human Services, and Natural Sciences & Mathematics.

Does Sacramento State offer doctoral programs?
Yes, it offers five doctoral degrees, including programs in Audiology and Educational Leadership.

What is the Capital Fellows Program?
This is a prestigious program that places graduate students in full-time staff positions within California’s legislative, executive, or judicial branches.

What is The WELL at Sacramento State?
The WELL is a LEED Gold-certified wellness center with fitness equipment, medical services, an indoor track, and a rock-climbing wall.

What housing options are available on campus?
The university offers eight residence halls accommodating over 1,600 students, including suite-style and traditional housing options.

Does Sacramento State have ROTC programs?
Yes, it offers both Army and Air Force ROTC programs, including the largest Air Force ROTC Detachment in Northern California.

Are there recreational opportunities on or near campus?
Yes, the campus is adjacent to the American River Parkway, offering access to trails and outdoor recreation.

What radio stations does Sacramento State operate?
The university runs KXPR (classical/jazz) and KXJZ (news/talk) through Capital Public Radio.

What student services does ASI (Associated Students Inc.) provide?
ASI manages the Children’s Center, Peak Adventures, Aquatic Center, student shop, and student government programs.

What percentage of Sacramento State students are Pell Grant eligible?
Approximately 48% of students are eligible for Pell Grants.

What is Sacramento State’s acceptance rate?
In 2023, the acceptance rate was approximately 93.6%.

What is the retention rate for first-year students?
The retention rate for full-time undergraduate students was 81%, above the national average for similar institutions.

What athletic division does Sacramento State compete in?
Sac State competes in NCAA Division I, with most sports in the Big Sky Conference.

Which other athletic conferences are Sac State teams part of?
They also compete in the WAC (Baseball), Big West (Men’s Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Men’s Golf), MPSF (Gymnastics), and AAC (Rowing).

What are some notable Sacramento State alumni?
Prominent alumni include Tom Hanks, Lester Holt, Ryan Coogler, Joan Lunden, Edward James Olmos, and Bobby McFerrin.

Does Sacramento State support research and faculty innovation?
Yes, through programs like RESG, GRANTSEARCH, FRFP, and the Anchor University Grants Program.

What is the Anchor University Initiative?
It’s a strategic initiative to build sustainable partnerships and community-based projects in the Sacramento region.

What recent financial challenges has Sacramento State faced?
The university is managing a projected budget deficit due to CSU funding cuts, inflation, and increased benefit costs.

How is Sacramento State addressing its financial challenges?
The university is reducing administrative roles to protect faculty, staff, and essential student services while pursuing external funding.

What role does the Community Engagement Center play?
It connects students with internships, service learning, and local organizations to strengthen university-community partnerships.

What kind of support exists for first-generation students?
Sac State offers numerous academic and financial support services, with 29% of students being first in their family to attend college.