Sonoma State University vs. Marshall University

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

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Sonoma State University vs. Marshall University comparison
Sonoma State University Marshall University College 3 College 4
Sonoma State University Marshall University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Sonoma State University Marshall University
Location Rohnert Park, CA Huntington, WV
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 6,637 10,691
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #813
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu marshall.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University Marshall University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,190
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $18,244
Room & Board $14,926 $11,840
Avg Net Price $15,507 $8,756
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $11,221
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 96%

Admission

Sonoma State University Marshall University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 6,356
Admitted 10,158 6,158
Acceptance Rate 94% 96.9%
Enrolled % 9.5% 25.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.68
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 19/25
SAT Range 950/1150 930/1150
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 10, 2025

Academics

Sonoma State University Marshall University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University Marshall University
Graduation Rate 57% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $40,200
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 43%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $23,134
Median Loan Payment $180 $239

Diversity

Sonoma State University Marshall University
% Men 37% 40%
% Women 63% 60%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 84%
% Black 2% 7%
% Hispanic 29% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Sonoma State University Marshall University
% In-State 97% 79%
% Out-of-State 3% 20%

Campus

Sonoma State University Marshall University
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

  • Marshall University is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (10,691 students vs. 6,637 students)

Sonoma State University vs. Marshall University Cost Comparison

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

  • Marshall University is 25.2% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($7,190.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.5% higher at Marshall University than Sonoma State University ($18,244.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Marshall University than Sonoma State University ($8,756 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marshall University are 26.1% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($11,840 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marshall University than Sonoma State University (96% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 54% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($11,221 vs. $7,287)

Sonoma State University vs. Marshall University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Marshall University (1028) is 32 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
  • Incoming Marshall University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Sonoma State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4)
  • Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Sonoma State University (94%)

Sonoma State University vs. Marshall University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sonoma State University or Marshall 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 Marshall University and Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Marshall University (57% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $9,100 more per year than Marshall University graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $40,200)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $5,634 lower median federal student loan debt than Marshall University graduates. ($17,500 vs. $23,134)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $59 less per month on federal student loans than Marshall University graduates. ($180 vs. $239)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 43%)

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