Sonoma State University vs. Cleveland State

Comparable Facts

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

Cleveland State University is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

Sonoma State University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or Cleveland State? 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 Sonoma State University than Cleveland State ($14,614 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 10.1% lower than at Sonoma State University ($15,104 vs. $16,802).
• Cleveland State University is 50.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $4,364 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Sonoma State University than at Cleveland State University (about $2,714 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at Sonoma State University (90% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 7.7% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($9,795 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming Cleveland State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; Cleveland State University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; Cleveland State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Sonoma State University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State University's (30%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($17,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($180 vs. $222).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 47%)

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.