Fresno Pacific University vs. Sonoma State University

Should I go to Fresno Pacific University or Sonoma State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Fresno Pacific University 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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Fresno Pacific University vs. Sonoma State University comparison
Fresno Pacific University Sonoma State University College 3 College 4
Fresno Pacific University Sonoma State University
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Overview

Fresno Pacific University Sonoma State University
Location Fresno, CA Rohnert Park, CA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,032 6,637
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #589 #675
Religious Affiliation Mennonite Brethren Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fresno.edu sonoma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Fresno Pacific University Sonoma State University
Tuition (In State) $33,614 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $33,614 $17,622
Room & Board $9,238 $14,926
Avg Net Price $15,255 $15,507
Avg Grant Aid $26,985 $7,287
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 77%

Admission

Fresno Pacific University Sonoma State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 832 10,806
Admitted 624 10,158
Acceptance Rate 75% 94%
Enrolled % 24.8% 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.54 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/24 17/23
SAT Range 970/1240 950/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Fresno Pacific University Sonoma State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (28%)
  • Work and Family Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (3%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)

Outcomes

Fresno Pacific University Sonoma State University
Graduation Rate 50% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,600 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $17,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $180

Diversity

Fresno Pacific University Sonoma State University
% Men 26% 37%
% Women 74% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 35% 48%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 43% 29%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 7%

Students

Fresno Pacific University Sonoma State University
% In-State 88% 97%
% Out-of-State 3% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Sonoma State University is larger than than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (6,637 students vs. 3,032 students)

Fresno Pacific University vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fresno Pacific University or Sonoma State University?

  • Fresno Pacific University is 485.4% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($33,614.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 90.8% higher at Fresno Pacific University than Sonoma State University ($33,614.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fresno Pacific University than Sonoma State University ($15,255 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 61.6% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($9,238 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than Sonoma State University (100% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 270.3% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($26,985 vs. $7,287)

Fresno Pacific University vs. Sonoma State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fresno Pacific University 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 Fresno Pacific University .

  • The average SAT score at Sonoma State University (996) is 8 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (988)
  • Incoming Fresno Pacific University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Sonoma State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Fresno Pacific University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Fresno Pacific University (75%)

Fresno Pacific University vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Fresno Pacific University 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 Fresno Pacific University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Fresno Pacific University (57% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $5,700 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $43,600)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates. ($17,500 vs. $21,500)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Fresno Pacific University graduates. ($180 vs. $222)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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