Sonoma State University

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Rohnert Park, CA
  • 0 reviews
#14 Best Public Universities in California

Overview

Total enrollment

5,891
Sonoma State University overview
Sonoma State University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, California, approximately 45 miles north of San Francisco in the heart of Sonoma County's wine country. The 269-acre campus features modern Spanish mission-style architecture surrounded by rolling hills and expansive landscaping, with the notable Green Music Center serving as a regional performing arts venue. Established in 1961 as part of the California State University system, Sonoma State operates as a public liberal arts institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs, with recognized strengths in business administration, education, and wine business management. The university maintains several residential communities where most first-year students live on campus, and its academic facilities include the Fairfield Osborn Preserve and the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve, which serve as outdoor classrooms for environmental studies. The institution competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Seawolves, primarily participating in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Ratings

Sonoma State University is rated within the lower 47% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    3 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    7 out of 10
  • Value
    4 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
Sonoma State University admission standards
  • GPA 3.4

Acceptance Rate

93.4%
Sonoma State University applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 8.3%
  • Application Fee $70

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

California Resident Tuition

$8,624

Out of State Resident Tuition

$21,224

Breakdown

In State Costs for Sonoma State University
  • Tuition $8,624
  • Books and Supplies $856
  • Other Fees $2,540
  • Room and Board $16,802
  • Budget for Other Expenses $2,600
  • Total One Year Cost $31,422

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$49,300 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

57% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Sonoma State University are Business, Social Sciences, and Psychology. 19% of students major in Business, 13% in Social Sciences, and 10% in Psychology.

  • Business 19%
  • Social Sciences 13%
  • Psychology 10%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 9%
  • Natural Resources Conservation 5%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Sonoma State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=123572.

GPA calculator: Sonoma State University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026