Sacramento State vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Sacramento 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 Sacramento 24:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Sacramento State vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento than Sonoma State University ($10,110 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 12.4% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($16,802 vs. $19,174).
• Sonoma State University is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $606 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Sacramento (about $606 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,618.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State University Sacramento (83% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 40.4% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,767 vs. $9,094).

Sacramento State vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 20 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming Sacramento State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at Sonoma State University (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Sacramento State vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State 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 Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($15,750 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($162 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

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.