Cal State Long Beach vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, 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 Long Beach is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Long Beach 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 Long Beach 23:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach 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 Long Beach than Sonoma State University ($10,607 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 7.1% lower than at Sonoma State University ($15,612 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (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 Long Beach (about $1,274 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State University Long Beach (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Long Beach students is 29.7% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($11,795 vs. $9,094).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach 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 Cal State Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 80 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach 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 Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach 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 Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.