Pacific Oaks College vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, 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 Pacific Oaks College based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 1,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Oaks College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Pacific Oaks College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Oaks College 11:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Pacific Oaks College vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific Oaks College or Sonoma State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 12.4% lower than at Pacific Oaks College ($16,802 vs. $19,185).
• Pacific Oaks College is 277.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $23,896 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.2% higher at Pacific Oaks College than at Sonoma State University (about $11,296 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at Pacific Oaks College (83% vs. 0%).

Pacific Oaks College vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific Oaks College 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 Pacific Oaks College.

• 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: Pacific Oaks College - Test optional; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Pacific Oaks College (34.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Pacific Oaks College vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific Oaks College 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).

• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Pacific Oaks College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $3,467 lower median loan debt than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($17,500 vs. $20,967).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($180 vs. $216).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 51%)

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.