Sonoma State University vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sonoma State University is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 286 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

Sonoma State University vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($14,614 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 41.3% lower than at Sonoma State University ($9,868 vs. $16,802).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 250.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $21,641 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.6% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at Sonoma State University (about $9,041 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at Sonoma State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 86.7% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($16,982 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or John Paul the Great Catholic University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between John Paul the Great Catholic University and Sonoma State University.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120) is 70 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Sonoma State University 950/1150; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Sonoma State University 17/23; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

Sonoma State University vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and John Paul the Great Catholic University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Sonoma State University's six-year graduation rate is 57%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for John Paul the Great Catholic University.
• Graduates from Sonoma State University have median earnings of about $49,300 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for John Paul the Great Catholic University.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $8,250 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($17,500 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($180 vs. $266).

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.