CSUDH vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, 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 Dominguez Hills is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (15,182 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Dominguez Hills is located in Carson, CA (Small City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Dominguez Hills 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 Dominguez Hills 21:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

CSUDH vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSUDH 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 Dominguez Hills than Sonoma State University ($9,175 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 8.9% lower than at California State University Dominguez Hills ($16,802 vs. $18,444).
• Sonoma State University is 15.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUDH (about $1,175 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,449.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Dominguez Hills (about $1,175 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,049.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Dominguez Hills than at Sonoma State University (93% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Dominguez Hills students is 53.4% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($13,951 vs. $9,094).

CSUDH vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSUDH 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 CSUDH.

• 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: CSUDH - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUDH Dec 4, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at CSUDH (3.16).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than CSUDH (93.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at CSUDH vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

CSUDH vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSUDH 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 Dominguez Hills's (24%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than CSUDH graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Dominguez Hills graduates have a $3,538 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($13,962 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, CSUDH graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($144 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUDH students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 52%)

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.