I can't tell you about the program because I don't go there, but I went there for undergrad. The prereqs to the program seem to be a little more geared toward Sac State undergrad alumni, but it is a 2 year program.
Sac State is far enough from south sac, the area itself around the campus isn't too bad. Midtown/downtown area is fairly close and there are suburbs about 15-20 minutes away that aren't too bad. I always thought of Sacramento as a surburb without a city. You will find a trend with any area there where you will see a nice neighborhood then drive a mile and dodge homelss shleters but maybe thats common in CA.