California Lutheran University vs. Sonoma State University

Should I go to California Lutheran University or Sonoma State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if California Lutheran University or Sonoma State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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California Lutheran University vs. Sonoma State University comparison
California Lutheran University Sonoma State University College 3 College 4
California Lutheran University Sonoma State University
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Overview

California Lutheran University Sonoma State University
Location Thousand Oaks, CA Rohnert Park, CA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,615 6,637
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #347 #675
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu sonoma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

California Lutheran University Sonoma State University
Tuition (In State) $47,500 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $47,500 $17,622
Room & Board $15,490 $14,926
Avg Net Price $30,416 $15,507
Avg Grant Aid $30,597 $7,287
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 77%

Admission

California Lutheran University Sonoma State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,150 10,806
Admitted 4,490 10,158
Acceptance Rate 87.2% 94%
Enrolled % 13.4% 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.4
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/30 17/23
SAT Range 1150/1320 950/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2025

Academics

California Lutheran University Sonoma State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)

Outcomes

California Lutheran University Sonoma State University
Graduation Rate 64% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $17,500
Median Loan Payment $237 $180

Diversity

California Lutheran University Sonoma State University
% Men 43% 37%
% Women 57% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 48%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 27% 29%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 7%

Students

California Lutheran University Sonoma State University
% In-State 80% 97%
% Out-of-State 17% 3%

Campus

California Lutheran University Sonoma State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Sonoma State University is larger than than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (6,637 students vs. 3,615 students)

California Lutheran University vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Sonoma State University?

  • California Lutheran University is 727.2% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($47,500.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 169.5% higher at California Lutheran University than Sonoma State University ($47,500.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than California Lutheran University ($15,507 vs. $30,416)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 3.8% lower than costs at California Lutheran University ($14,926 vs. $15,490)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University than Sonoma State University (99% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 319.9% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($30,597 vs. $7,287)

California Lutheran University vs. Sonoma State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or Sonoma State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Sonoma State University or California Lutheran University .

  • The average SAT score at California Lutheran University (1109) is 113 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
  • Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Sonoma State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than California Lutheran University (87.2%)

California Lutheran University vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, California Lutheran University or Sonoma State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Sonoma State University and California Lutheran University.

  • The graduation rate at California Lutheran University is higher than Sonoma State University (64% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $8,600 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $49,300)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates. ($17,500 vs. $23,000)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than California Lutheran University graduates. ($180 vs. $237)
  • More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/