Cal State LA vs. Sonoma State University

Should I go to California State University Los Angeles or Sonoma State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cal State LA or Sonoma State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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California State University Los Angeles vs. Sonoma State University comparison
California State University Los Angeles Sonoma State University College 3 College 4
California State University Los Angeles Sonoma State University
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Overview

Cal State LA Sonoma State University
Location Los Angeles, CA Rohnert Park, CA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 26,460 6,637
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #947 #675
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website calstatela.edu sonoma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Cal State LA Sonoma State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,622
Room & Board $17,998 $14,926
Avg Net Price $5,801 $15,507
Avg Grant Aid $10,907 $7,287
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 77%

Admission

Cal State LA Sonoma State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 33,939 10,806
Admitted 29,507 10,158
Acceptance Rate 86.9% 94%
Enrolled % 13.2% 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.31 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 15/20 17/23
SAT Range 870/1060 950/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 19, 2025

Academics

Cal State LA Sonoma State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)

Outcomes

Cal State LA Sonoma State University
Graduation Rate 36% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,900 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $12,920 $17,500
Median Loan Payment $133 $180

Diversity

Cal State LA Sonoma State University
% Men 41% 37%
% Women 59% 63%
Racial Diversity Medium Very High
HBCU No No
% White 7% 48%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 63% 29%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 7%

Students

Cal State LA Sonoma State University
% In-State 99% 97%
% Out-of-State 0% 3%

Campus

Cal State LA Sonoma State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California State University Los Angeles is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (26,460 students vs. 6,637 students)

Cal State LA vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or Sonoma State University?

  • California State University Los Angeles and Sonoma State University cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($5,742.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is the same at Cal State LA as Sonoma State University ($17,622.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Los Angeles than Sonoma State University ($5,801 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 20.6% lower than costs at California State University Los Angeles ($14,926 vs. $17,998)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than Sonoma State University (91% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 49.7% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($10,907 vs. $7,287)

Cal State LA vs. Sonoma State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or Sonoma State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Sonoma State University or Cal State LA .

  • The average SAT score at Sonoma State University (996) is 122 points higher than at Cal State LA (874)
  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Cal State LA (18)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Cal State LA (3.31)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Cal State LA (86.9%)

Cal State LA vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cal State LA or Sonoma State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Sonoma State University and Cal State LA.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than California State University Los Angeles (57% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $2,400 more per year than Cal State LA graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $46,900)
  • California State University Los Angeles students graduate with a $4,580 lower median federal student loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates. ($12,920 vs. $17,500)
  • Cal State LA graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Sonoma State University graduates. ($133 vs. $180)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/