Sonoma State University vs. Cleveland State

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

 Sonoma State University Cleveland State
Location Rohnert Park, CA Cleveland, OH
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,990 14,117
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #625 #780
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu csuohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Sonoma State University Cleveland State
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $12,503
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,863
Room & Board $15,770 $14,760
Avg Net Price $15,113 $16,307
Avg Grant Aid $8,546 $10,148
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 88%

Admission

 Sonoma State University Cleveland State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,529 10,274
Admitted 9,974 9,810
Acceptance Rate 94.7% 95.5%
Enrolled % 9.1% 16.2%
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 18/25
SAT Range 950/1150 880/1130
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2026

Academics

 Sonoma State University Cleveland State
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 Sonoma State University Cleveland State
Graduation Rate 57% 30%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $44,200
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $180 $222

Diversity

 Sonoma State University Cleveland State
% Men 3% 15%
% Women 7% 18%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 48% 64%
% Black 2% 17%
% Hispanic 29% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

 Sonoma State University Cleveland State
% In-State 98% 85%
% Out-of-State 2% 7%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Cleveland State University is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (14,117 students vs. 5,990 students)

Sonoma State University vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or Cleveland State?

  • Cleveland State University is 117.7% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($12,503.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.4% higher at Cleveland State than Sonoma State University ($17,863.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than Cleveland State ($15,113 vs. $16,307)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 6.8% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($14,760 vs. $15,770)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Cleveland State University than Sonoma State University (88% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cleveland State University students is 18.7% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($10,148 vs. $8,546)

Sonoma State University vs. Cleveland State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Cleveland State University (1028) is 32 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Cleveland State (22)
  • 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)
  • Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than Sonoma State University (94.7%)

Sonoma State University vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sonoma State University or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State and Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Cleveland State University (57% vs. 30%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $5,100 more per year than Cleveland State graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $44,200)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Cleveland State graduates. ($17,500 vs. $21,500)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans 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/