Pitzer vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Pitzer College in Claremont, 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 Pitzer based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 1,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pitzer College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Pitzer College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pitzer College 10:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Pitzer vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pitzer 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 Pitzer ($14,614 vs. $34,979).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 24.1% lower than at Pitzer College ($16,802 vs. $22,150).
• Pitzer College is 655.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $56,568 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 207.2% higher at Pitzer than at Sonoma State University (about $43,968 more per year; $65,192.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at Pitzer College (83% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pitzer College students is 466.2% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($51,487 vs. $9,094).

Pitzer vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pitzer 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 Pitzer.

• 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: Pitzer - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pitzer Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Pitzer students have a 0.53 point higher average high school GPA (3.93) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Pitzer (25.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.8% at Pitzer vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Pitzer vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pitzer 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).

• Pitzer College's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Sonoma State University's (57%).
• Graduates from Pitzer College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pitzer College graduates have a $1,605 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($15,895 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Pitzer graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($164 vs. $180).
• More Pitzer graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 69%)

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.