Humboldt State University vs. Sonoma State University

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

Humboldt State University Sonoma State University
Location Arcata, CA Rohnert Park, CA
Setting Remote Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,025 6,637
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #831 #675
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu sonoma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University Sonoma State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,622
Room & Board $12,540 $14,926
Avg Net Price $14,325 $15,507
Avg Grant Aid $9,262 $7,287
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 77%

Admission

Humboldt State University Sonoma State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,505 10,806
Admitted 8,350 10,158
Acceptance Rate 98.2% 94%
Enrolled % 11.5% 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 17/23
SAT Range 970/1190 950/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Apr 30, 2025

Academics

Humboldt State University Sonoma State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University Sonoma State University
Graduation Rate 40% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $17,500
Median Loan Payment $201 $180

Diversity

Humboldt State University Sonoma State University
% Men 42% 37%
% Women 58% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 45% 48%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 33% 29%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 7%

Students

Humboldt State University Sonoma State University
% In-State 91% 97%
% Out-of-State 8% 3%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Sonoma State University is larger than than Humboldt State University based on total student enrollment (6,637 students vs. 6,025 students)

Humboldt State University vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Humboldt State University or Sonoma State University?

  • Humboldt State University and Sonoma State University cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($5,742.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is the same at Humboldt State University as Sonoma State University ($17,622.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than Sonoma State University ($14,325 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Humboldt State University are 19% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($12,540 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sonoma State University than Humboldt State University (77% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Humboldt State University students is 27.1% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($9,262 vs. $7,287)

Humboldt State University vs. Sonoma State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sonoma State University (996) is 6 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Humboldt State University (3.33)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than Sonoma State University (94%)

Humboldt State University vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt State 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 Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Humboldt State University (57% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $10,300 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $39,000)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Humboldt State University graduates. ($17,500 vs. $19,500)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Humboldt State University graduates. ($180 vs. $201)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Humboldt State University 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/