Sonoma State University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Monterey Bay is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Sonoma State University vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or CSUMB? 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 Monterey Bay than Sonoma State University ($14,493 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 2.5% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($16,802 vs. $17,234).
• Sonoma State University is 10.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $845 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $845 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (83% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 34% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,185 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or CSUMB? 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 CSUMB and Sonoma State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 10 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming Sonoma State University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at CSUMB (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Sonoma State University vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and CSUMB? 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 Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($14,000 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($144 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUMB 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.