California State University-Northridge vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, 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 Northridge is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 5,891 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Northridge 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 Northridge 25:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge 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 Northridge than Sonoma State University ($7,536 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 17.8% lower than at Sonoma State University ($13,804 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 15.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $1,166 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Northridge (about $1,166 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge as at Sonoma State University (83% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 41% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,825 vs. $9,094).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Northridge 900/1110; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Northridge 16/22; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at California State University-Northridge (3.38).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge 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 Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $1,800 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $3,304 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($14,196 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($146 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.