Sonoma State University vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

Compare Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA with California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sonoma State University is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

Sonoma State University vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or CSU Channel Islands? 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 California State University Channel Islands than Sonoma State University ($10,632 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Channel Islands are 7.8% lower than at Sonoma State University ($15,490 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 20.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $1,465 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Channel Islands (about $1,465 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State University Channel Islands (83% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 37.8% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,528 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands and Sonoma State University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

Sonoma State University vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and CSU Channel Islands? 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 California State University Channel Islands's (54%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than CSU Channel Islands graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $2,317 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($15,183 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($156 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Channel Islands students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.