CMA vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sonoma State University is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

CMA vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or Sonoma State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than CMA ($14,614 vs. $19,040).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Maritime Academy are 13.5% lower than at Sonoma State University ($14,536 vs. $16,802).
• California State University Maritime Academy is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $1,320 more per year; $9,944.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at CMA than at Sonoma State University (about $1,320 more per year; $22,544.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State University Maritime Academy (83% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students is 21.4% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($11,038 vs. $9,094).

CMA vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or Sonoma State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sonoma State University and CMA.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CMA students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• CMA has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

CMA vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and Sonoma State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Maritime Academy's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Sonoma State University's (57%).
• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $41,200 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $8,026 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($180 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.