Sonoma State University vs. Gordon

Comparable Facts

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

Sonoma State University is larger than Gordon based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 3,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); Gordon State College is in Barnesville, GA (Distant Town setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Gordon State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; Gordon State College 20:1.

Sonoma State University vs. Gordon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or Gordon? 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 Gordon State College than Sonoma State University ($7,807 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gordon State College are 37.8% lower than at Sonoma State University ($10,444 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 137.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gordon (about $4,996 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $3,628.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.9% higher at Sonoma State University than at Gordon State College (about $10,276 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $10,948.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gordon State College than at Sonoma State University (89% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sonoma State University students is 40.7% larger than aid received by Gordon State College students ($9,094 vs. $6,462).

Sonoma State University vs. Gordon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Gordon (1010).
• Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at Gordon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150; Gordon State College 890/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; Gordon State College 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; Gordon - Test optional.
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Gordon (85.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 36.1% at Gordon.

Sonoma State University vs. Gordon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and Gordon? 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).

• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Gordon graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Gordon State College and Sonoma State University graduates have the same median loan debt ($17,500 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Gordon State College and Sonoma State University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($180 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Gordon students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 26%)

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.