Civil Engineering at California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento State's civil engineering program operates in a competitive space—it outperforms the national median but sits below California's state median of $73,540. At the 40th percentile among California programs, graduates here earn less than peers at Cal Poly SLO ($80,673) or UC Berkeley ($78,142), though the gap narrows considerably when you factor in debt. With just $19,124 in typical borrowing versus the state median of $18,820, Sacramento State delivers one of the better debt-to-earnings ratios you'll find in California engineering.

The 18% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates establish themselves well in the field, moving from $71,342 to $84,258. That trajectory matters because civil engineering careers typically reward experience with steady advancement. The high admission rate (94%) and significant Pell grant population (49%) mean this program serves students who might not access higher-ranked programs, yet still launches them into solid middle-class careers with manageable debt.

For families watching costs, this represents practical value: your graduate enters the workforce earning above the national median, carries minimal debt, and reaches the mid-$80,000s within four years. If your child can access Cal Poly or a UC school without taking on substantially more debt, those might edge ahead. But Sacramento State offers a reliable path into engineering without the financial stress that sometimes accompanies more prestigious programs.