California State University-Fresno vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, 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 Fresno is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

California State University-Fresno vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno 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 Fresno than Sonoma State University ($7,834 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 28.8% lower than at Sonoma State University ($11,960 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $1,274 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Fresno (about $1,274 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at Sonoma State University (85% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 35.5% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,326 vs. $9,094).

California State University-Fresno vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno 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 California State University-Fresno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 50 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

California State University-Fresno vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno 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 Fresno's (49%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($155 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.