Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA with Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sonoma State University is larger than Mount Saint Mary's University based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 2,312 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mount Saint Mary's University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Sonoma State University than Mount Saint Mary's University ($14,614 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Saint Mary's University are 7.6% lower than at Sonoma State University ($15,518 vs. $16,802).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 474.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $40,940 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.5% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at Sonoma State University (about $28,340 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at Sonoma State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 331.3% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($39,218 vs. $9,094).

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming Mount Saint Mary's University 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: Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Mount Saint Mary's University vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($180 vs. $258).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.