CSUS Academic Calendar

California State University, Sacramento (Sac State), located in Sacramento, California, operates on a semester-based academic calendar, which is common among many public universities in the United States. The academic year is divided into two main semesters—Fall and Spring—with a shorter Summer session for additional coursework. Typically, the Fall semester begins in late August and concludes in mid-December, while the Spring semester starts in late January and ends in mid-May. Sac State also observes standard breaks, including a winter intersession between semesters and a spring break in March or April, aligning with regional school calendars to accommodate students and faculty.

• Fall Semester Start: August 25, 2025 (estimated based on typical schedules). Classes begin for the new academic year.
• Labor Day Holiday: September 1, 2025. Campus closed for the national holiday.
• Thanksgiving Break: November 27–30, 2025 (estimated). No classes, with campus operations limited.
• Fall Semester End/Finals: December 15–19, 2025 (estimated). Final exams period.
• Winter Break: December 20, 2025–January 18, 2026 (estimated). Campus largely closed for the holiday season.
• Spring Semester Start: January 20, 2026 (estimated). Classes resume after winter break.
• Spring Break: March 16–22, 2026 (estimated). Week-long break for students and faculty.
• Spring Semester End/Finals: May 11–15, 2026 (estimated). Final exams and end of academic year.
• Commencement: Mid-May 2026 (exact date TBD). Graduation ceremonies for eligible students.

• Early Action Deadline: November 1, 2024 (estimated for Fall 2025 admission). Recommended for priority consideration; decisions typically released by late December.
• Regular Decision Deadline: November 30, 2024 (estimated). Final deadline for most undergraduate applicants; decisions often notified by March or April 2025.
• Priority Financial Aid Deadline: March 2, 2025 (estimated). Submit FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application for maximum aid consideration.
• Enrollment Confirmation Deadline: May 1, 2025 (estimated). Deadline to accept admission offer and pay enrollment deposit.
• International Student Application Deadline: November 30, 2024 (estimated). Additional time required for visa processing and document submission.

The academic calendar at Sac State aligns closely with other California State University system campuses and regional educational institutions, ensuring consistency for students transferring within the state. Breaks such as Thanksgiving and Spring Break often coincide with public school schedules, which benefits students with family obligations. For international students, the semester structure provides ample time during winter and summer breaks to travel or pursue internships, though they should plan around visa regulations. Additionally, the university’s scheduling accounts for major national holidays like Labor Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, often incorporating these into the calendar as campus closures. While exact dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are estimates based on historical patterns, students are encouraged to check official university announcements for confirmed schedules.