Sonoma State University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Marcos is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (16,237 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 San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Sonoma State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or California State University-San Marcos? 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 San Marcos than Sonoma State University ($10,241 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 15.8% lower than at Sonoma State University ($14,152 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $542 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University San Marcos (about $542 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State University San Marcos (83% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($11,123 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and Sonoma State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 10 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Sonoma State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and California State University-San Marcos? 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 San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $495 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($17,500 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($180 vs. $186).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Marcos 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.