Sonoma State University vs. PennWest California

Should I go to Sonoma State University or PennWest California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Sonoma State University or PennWest California is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Sonoma State University vs. PennWest California comparison
Sonoma State University PennWest California College 3 College 4
Sonoma State University PennWest California
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Overview

Sonoma State University PennWest California
Location Rohnert Park, CA California, PA
Setting Large Suburban Town Fringe
Enrollment 6,637 6,509
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #1033
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu calu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University PennWest California
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,716
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $11,574
Room & Board $14,926 $10,416
Avg Net Price $15,507 -
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $0
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 0%

Admission

Sonoma State University PennWest California
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 -
Admitted 10,158 -
Acceptance Rate 94%
Enrolled % 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 950/1150 940/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2025

Academics

Sonoma State University PennWest California
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 19:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University PennWest California
Graduation Rate 57% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $42,500
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 64%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $180 $258

Diversity

Sonoma State University PennWest California
% Men 37% 39%
% Women 63% 61%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 77%
% Black 2% 12%
% Hispanic 29% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Sonoma State University PennWest California
% In-State 97% 86%
% Out-of-State 3% 13%

Campus

Sonoma State University PennWest California
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Sonoma State University is larger than than PennWest California based on total student enrollment (6,637 students vs. 6,509 students)

Sonoma State University vs. PennWest California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or PennWest California?

  • PennWest California is 34.4% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($7,716.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 52.3% higher at Sonoma State University than PennWest California ($17,622.00 vs. $11,574.00)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at PennWest California are 43.3% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($10,416 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sonoma State University than PennWest California (77% vs. 0%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sonoma State University students is ?% larger than aid received PennWest California ($7,287 vs. $0)

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or PennWest California? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PennWest California or Sonoma State University .

  • The average SAT score at Sonoma State University (996) is 74 points higher than at PennWest California (922)
  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at PennWest California (20)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at PennWest California (3.31)

Sonoma State University vs. PennWest California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sonoma State University or PennWest California? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PennWest California and Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than PennWest California (57% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $6,800 more per year than PennWest California graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $42,500)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $7,500 lower median federal student loan debt than PennWest California graduates. ($17,500 vs. $25,000)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $78 less per month on federal student loans than PennWest California graduates. ($180 vs. $258)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PennWest California students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/