CSU Stanislaus vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, 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 Stanislaus is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (9,724 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Stanislaus is located in Turlock, CA (Small Suburban setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus 18:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

CSU Stanislaus vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus than Sonoma State University ($7,433 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Stanislaus are 21.9% lower than at Sonoma State University ($13,126 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Stanislaus (about $378 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $8,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Stanislaus (about $378 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,846.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Stanislaus than at Sonoma State University (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Stanislaus students is 37.4% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,492 vs. $9,094).

CSU Stanislaus vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Stanislaus 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 CSU Stanislaus.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Stanislaus - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Stanislaus Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CSU Stanislaus students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• CSU Stanislaus has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at CSU Stanislaus vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

CSU Stanislaus vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus's (49%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than CSU Stanislaus graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Stanislaus graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU Stanislaus 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 CSU Stanislaus 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.