Sacramento's Top Universities
A definitive guide to the top universities and colleges serving Sacramento City & County — from Sacramento State's capital-city campus and UC Davis' medical school in the Med Center corridor, to UOP's law school in Oak Park and the Los Rios community colleges that open doors across the region.
Why Study in Sacramento?
Sacramento is California's capital city — and that status shapes every facet of higher education here. Students at Sacramento State intern at state agencies, legislative offices, and executive departments that shape public policy for 40 million Californians. Students training at UC Davis Health's Sacramento medical campus work inside one of California's premier academic medical centers. Lawyers trained at McGeorge School of Law practice before the state's courts and agencies. And the Los Rios community colleges — Sacramento City, American River, and Cosumnes River — open pathways into four-year institutions and career fields for tens of thousands of Sacramento residents who might otherwise not access higher education. This is Sacramento's academic ecosystem: mission-driven, capital-city connected, and deeply rooted in community service.
Editorial Note: All tuition figures, contact details, and links reference official university and college sources. Tuition amounts are approximate and subject to change — always verify on each institution's official website before making decisions.
California State University, Sacramento
Sacramento's Capital-City University — The Heart of the Region's Public Higher Education
California State University, Sacramento — known as Sacramento State or Sac State — is the region's flagship public university and the largest four-year institution in Sacramento. Located on a 300-acre campus along the American River, Sac State offers more than 150 areas of study across 8 colleges and is deeply woven into the fabric of state government, public service, and community life. With its unique positioning as the capital-city university, Sac State graduates enter careers in government, public policy, education, healthcare, business, and the arts with unmatched local networks and internship access.
Top Academic Programs
UC Davis School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Sacramento's Health Sciences Hub — UC Davis Medical Education & Clinical Research
UC Davis School of Medicine and UC Davis Health's educational programs are physically based in Sacramento, anchored by UC Davis Medical Center on Stockton Boulevard. The School of Medicine — one of the top research-intensive medical schools in the United States — trains physicians, nurses, pharmacists, public health professionals, and health administrators at this Sacramento campus. Students benefit from clinical training at UC Davis Medical Center, the region's only Level I Trauma Center and NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, alongside a robust research enterprise drawing over $600 million in annual funding. The Sacramento campus is the educational and clinical heart of UC Davis Health.
Top Academic Programs
Tuition & Fees
University of the Pacific — Sacramento Campus
Private Graduate Campus in Oak Park — Law, Public Policy & Professional Programs
University of the Pacific's Sacramento campus, located in the historic Oak Park neighborhood, is a hub for graduate and professional education in law, public policy, and related fields. Pacific's McGeorge School of Law — one of the longest-established law schools in the western United States — is based here, offering JD, LLM, and joint-degree programs with a strong emphasis on government law, international law, and advocacy. The campus serves working professionals across Sacramento and connects students with the state's legal and governmental community through its Capitol corridor location.
Top Academic Programs
Sacramento City College
The Region's Flagship Community College — Open Access, Broad Pathways
Sacramento City College is one of the oldest and most respected community colleges in California, established in 1916 and serving Sacramento for over a century. Part of the Los Rios Community College District — one of the largest community college districts in the nation — Sacramento City College offers more than 200 degree and certificate programs spanning liberal arts, sciences, career and technical education, and transfer preparation. SCC serves a diverse student population and is consistently one of the top community colleges in California for transfers to UC and CSU campuses.
Top Academic Programs
American River College
Sacramento County's Largest Community College — Ranked Among California's Best
American River College (ARC) is the largest college in the Los Rios Community College District and one of the largest community colleges in California by enrollment. Located in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento County, ARC serves students from across the northern Sacramento region with more than 200 degree and certificate programs. ARC has been consistently recognized as one of California's top community colleges for academic programs, student support services, and transfer outcomes, particularly to UC Davis and Sacramento State. Its extensive campus, modern facilities, and strong athletics program give it a four-year university feel.
Top Academic Programs
Cosumnes River College
South Sacramento's Community College — Gateway to Opportunity in Elk Grove & Beyond
Cosumnes River College (CRC) serves the rapidly growing South Sacramento and Elk Grove communities as the Los Rios district's southernmost campus. Established in 1970, CRC offers more than 130 degree and certificate programs with a strong focus on transfer preparation, career and technical education, and serving first-generation college students. As Elk Grove has grown into one of California's fastest-growing cities, CRC has expanded its programs and partnerships to match — making it an increasingly significant institution in Sacramento County's higher education landscape.
Top Academic Programs
California Grants & Aid
California offers some of the most generous financial aid in the nation. Sacramento students at Sac State, Los Rios colleges, and UC Davis Health can access Cal Grants, federal aid, and institutional scholarships — here's what you need to know.
The Most Important Step: File Your FAFSA by March 2
Nearly all financial aid — federal grants, Cal Grants, CSU grants, and institutional scholarships — requires a completed FAFSA (or CADAA for eligible undocumented students). File early and don't miss California's March 2 priority deadline. Sacramento State, all three Los Rios community colleges, and UOP Sacramento all require FAFSA for most aid programs.
Cal Grant — California Student Aid Commission
Cal Grants are California's main state grant program, providing need-based financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Cal Grant A covers tuition at CSU, UC, and qualifying private colleges. Cal Grant B provides a living allowance plus tuition for students from lower-income families. Sacramento State and community colleges in the Los Rios district are all eligible.
Eligibility: California resident, enrolled at a qualifying institution, demonstrate financial need via FAFSA or CADAA, meet GPA requirement (generally 2.0–3.0+ depending on grant type), and meet income/asset ceilings. File FAFSA by March 2.
FAFSA — Federal Student Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to nearly all financial aid — federal Pell Grants, subsidized/unsubsidized loans, work-study, Cal Grants, and institutional scholarships. Every student planning to attend Sacramento State, a Los Rios community college, UC Davis Health, or UOP Sacramento should file as early as possible.
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, enrolled or accepted at an eligible institution, not in default on prior federal student loans, maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Sacramento State Hornet Scholarship Hub
Sacramento State's centralized scholarship portal connects students to hundreds of institutional and donor-funded scholarships across all departments. Many are based on major, community involvement, or merit rather than purely need — making them accessible to a wide range of students. Sacramento State also offers the TEACH Grant for future educators.
Eligibility: Enrolled at Sacramento State; individual scholarship eligibility varies. Create a profile in the Hornet Scholarship Hub to be automatically matched.
Los Rios Promise / Community College Fee Waiver (CCPG)
The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) waives enrollment fees for eligible California resident students at Los Rios colleges (Sacramento City, American River, Cosumnes River, Folsom Lake). This can reduce the cost of attending community college to near-zero for qualifying students. The Los Rios Promise program extends additional support for eligible new full-time students.
Eligibility: California resident enrolled at a Los Rios college; demonstrate financial need via FAFSA or CA Dream Act application, OR meet TANF/SSI/General Assistance criteria.
Where to Search for Scholarships
Beyond state and federal aid, each Sacramento institution offers its own scholarship programs. Always check the school's official financial aid and scholarship pages first — these are often the largest and most accessible opportunities for Sacramento students.
How We Selected These Institutions
This directory features degree-granting institutions with significant presence in Sacramento City and Sacramento County. Selection was guided by four criteria: regional prominence (enrollment size and community impact), program breadth (range of degrees and certificates relevant to Sacramento's economy), third-party recognition (U.S. News rankings, state and national accreditation, and career outcomes), and capital-city relevance (alignment with Sacramento's defining roles in government, healthcare, law, and public service).
We prioritized institutions where Sacramento's unique identity — as a state capital, healthcare hub, and diverse urban center — creates opportunities that students would not find at comparable institutions elsewhere in California. Community colleges are included because Sacramento's higher education landscape is meaningfully shaped by the Los Rios district, which serves more students than any four-year institution in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main public university in Sacramento?
California State University, Sacramento — known as Sacramento State or Sac State — is the primary public four-year university in the city. With over 31,000 students and 150+ areas of study, it is the largest four-year institution in the Sacramento region. Sac State is part of the 23-campus California State University system and is especially well-known for its business, public policy, education, nursing, and criminal justice programs. Its location in the state capital gives it a unique internship and career pipeline into California government.
Is there a medical school in Sacramento?
Yes — UC Davis School of Medicine is based in Sacramento, anchored by UC Davis Medical Center on Stockton Boulevard. It is one of the top research-intensive public medical schools in the United States, training physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals at the Sacramento campus. The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing is also based in Sacramento. UC Davis Health's Sacramento presence makes the city one of California's top health sciences education hubs.
What law school is in Sacramento?
McGeorge School of Law, a campus of University of the Pacific, is located in Sacramento's Oak Park neighborhood. One of California's longest-established law schools, McGeorge has graduated California Supreme Court justices, U.S. senators, federal judges, and generations of Sacramento's legal and governmental leaders. Its Capitol-adjacent location makes it the natural choice for students pursuing careers in California law, government, and public policy.
What are the main community colleges in Sacramento County?
Sacramento County is served primarily by the Los Rios Community College District, which includes Sacramento City College (one of California's oldest community colleges, founded in 1916), American River College (the largest Los Rios college, with 30,000+ students), Cosumnes River College (serving South Sacramento and Elk Grove), and Folsom Lake College (serving the Folsom/El Dorado Hills area). All four offer transfer pathways to Sacramento State, UC Davis, and other four-year institutions, as well as career and technical programs.
How much does it cost to attend Sacramento State?
For California residents, Sacramento State tuition and fees are approximately $8,000 per year — one of the most affordable four-year university options in the state. Out-of-state students pay approximately $20,000 per year. After financial aid — including Cal Grants, federal Pell Grants, and Sacramento State's own institutional scholarships — many California resident students pay significantly less. Visit csus.edu/financial-aid-scholarships for current figures.
Can I transfer from a community college to Sacramento State or UC Davis?
Yes — the Los Rios community colleges (Sacramento City, American River, Cosumnes River) have formal articulation agreements with Sacramento State and UC Davis, making the community college-to-university transfer one of the most clearly defined educational pathways in the region. Students who complete the required coursework and maintain the required GPA can transfer as juniors to Sac State or, via the UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG), to UC Davis in eligible majors. This is one of the most affordable routes to a four-year degree in California.
Disclaimer: Tuition figures, acceptance rates, enrollment numbers, and program details are sourced from official institution websites and public data as of the most recent academic year. All information is subject to change. This guide is for informational purposes only — always verify directly with each institution before making enrollment or financial decisions. Everything SAC is not affiliated with any college or university listed.
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