Sonoma State University vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

Sonoma State University vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver than Sonoma State University ($14,584 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University of Denver are 0.1% lower than at Sonoma State University ($16,785 vs. $16,802).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 29% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $2,500 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.6% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Sonoma State University (about $9,460 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (83% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($9,813 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver and Sonoma State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming Metropolitan State University of Denver 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; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Sonoma State University vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $6,750 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($180 vs. $250).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver 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.