Saint Mary's College of California vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, 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 Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 2,734 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saint Mary's College of California 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 Saint Mary's College of California ($14,614 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 4.5% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($16,802 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 570.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $49,179 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 172.3% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at Sonoma State University (about $36,579 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at Sonoma State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 366.3% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($42,407 vs. $9,094).

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saint Mary's College of California 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 Saint Mary's College of California.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College of California (1160) is 110 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming Saint Mary's College of California students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College of California 21/28; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Mary's College of California students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Saint Mary's College of California (86.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Saint Mary's College of California vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saint Mary's College of California 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).

• Saint Mary's College of California's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Sonoma State University's (57%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 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 Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($180 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.