CSU Bakersfield vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield 20:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield 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 California State University Bakersfield than Sonoma State University ($6,489 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 10.3% lower than at Sonoma State University ($15,076 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 6.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $534 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Bakersfield (about $534 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Sonoma State University (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 42.6% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,966 vs. $9,094).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield 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 CSU Bakersfield.

• 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: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield 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).

• Sonoma State University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $4,332 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($13,168 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($136 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 54%)

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.