Sonoma State University vs. Central Washington University

Should I go to Sonoma State University or Central Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Sonoma State University or Central Washington University 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. Central Washington University comparison
Sonoma State University Central Washington University College 3 College 4
Sonoma State University Central Washington University
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Overview

Sonoma State University Central Washington University
Location Rohnert Park, CA Ellensburg, WA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 6,637 9,257
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #610
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $23,881
Room & Board $14,926 $13,645
Avg Net Price $15,507 $15,864
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $9,294
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 73%

Admission

Sonoma State University Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 6,409
Admitted 10,158 5,992
Acceptance Rate 94% 93.5%
Enrolled % 9.5% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 17/24
SAT Range 950/1150 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Sonoma State University Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 57% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $180 $214

Diversity

Sonoma State University Central Washington University
% Men 37% 47%
% Women 63% 53%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 59%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 29% 14%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 7% 7%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 9%

Students

Sonoma State University Central Washington University
% In-State 97% 95%
% Out-of-State 3% 5%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Central Washington University is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (9,257 students vs. 6,637 students)

Sonoma State University vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or Central Washington University?

  • Central Washington University is 18.7% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($6,816.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 35.5% higher at Central Washington University than Sonoma State University ($23,881.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than Central Washington University ($15,507 vs. $15,864)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 9.4% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($13,645 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sonoma State University than Central Washington University (77% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Washington University students is 27.5% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($9,294 vs. $7,287)

Sonoma State University vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sonoma State University (996) is 18 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Central Washington University (93.5%)

Sonoma State University vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sonoma State University or Central Washington University? 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 Central Washington University and Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Central Washington University (57% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $1,500 more per year than Central Washington University graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $47,800)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $3,237 lower median federal student loan debt than Central Washington University graduates. ($17,500 vs. $20,737)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $34 less per month on federal student loans than Central Washington University graduates. ($180 vs. $214)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

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