Cal State East Bay vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University East Bay in Hayward, 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 East Bay is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 5,891 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University East Bay 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 East Bay 22:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay 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 East Bay than Sonoma State University ($9,850 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 5.8% lower than at California State University East Bay ($16,802 vs. $17,831).
• Sonoma State University is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State East Bay (about $1,041 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,583.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University East Bay (about $1,041 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,183.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State University East Bay (83% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 36% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,369 vs. $9,094).

Cal State East Bay vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State East Bay or Sonoma State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sonoma State University and Cal State East Bay.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Cal State East Bay (3.2).
• Cal State East Bay has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Cal State East Bay vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Cal State East Bay vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and Sonoma State University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Sonoma State University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than California State University East Bay's (43%).
• Graduates from California State University East Bay earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University East Bay graduates have a $1,168 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($16,332 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State East Bay graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($168 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State East Bay students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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.