Cal State LA vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State LA vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA 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 Los Angeles than Sonoma State University ($4,460 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 14.7% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($16,802 vs. $19,696).
• Sonoma State University is 20.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $1,464 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Los Angeles (about $1,464 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at Sonoma State University (94% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 52% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($13,824 vs. $9,094).

Cal State LA vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA 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 LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 80 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• 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 (93.4%) than Cal State LA (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Cal State LA vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA 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 Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $4,580 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($12,920 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.