California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State Polytechnic University Humboldt in Arcata, CA with Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt than Sonoma State University ($14,090 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 16% lower than at Sonoma State University ($14,118 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $374 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $374 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (83% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 18.2% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($10,748 vs. $9,094).

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (1080) is 30 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($180 vs. $201).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.