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San Francisco State CSU Humboldt State University CSUMB Sacramento State Kentucky UC Merced San Jose State University of Toledo Eastern Cal State East Bay Cal State Fullerton| Sonoma State University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Sonoma State University | NKU | ||
| Location | Rohnert Park, CA | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 5,990 | 14,961 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #625 | #912 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | sonoma.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Sonoma State University | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,742 | $10,512 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $17,622 | $21,096 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,770 | $11,660 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,113 | $8,151 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $8,546 | $11,492 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 83% | 98% |
Admission |
Sonoma State University | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 10,529 | 6,417 | ||
| Admitted | 9,974 | 6,162 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.7% | 96% | ||
| Enrolled % | 9.1% | 21% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.4 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/23 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 950/1150 | 916/1133 | ||
| 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 | NKU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Sonoma State University | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 57% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $49,300 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 69% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,500 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $180 | $257 |
Diversity |
Sonoma State University | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 3% | 10% | ||
| % Women | 7% | 24% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 48% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 29% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 7% | 2% | ||
| % International | 2% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 7% | 1% |
Students |
Sonoma State University | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 98% | 71% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 2% | 28% | ||
Campus |
Sonoma State University | NKU | ||
| 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
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (14,961 students vs. 5,990 students)
Sonoma State University vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or NKU?
- Northern Kentucky University is 83.1% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($10,512.00 vs. $5,742.00)
- Out of state tuition is 19.7% higher at NKU than Sonoma State University ($21,096.00 vs. $17,622.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Sonoma State University ($8,151 vs. $15,113)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 35.2% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($11,660 vs. $15,770)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Sonoma State University (98% vs. 83%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Kentucky University students is 34.5% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($11,492 vs. $8,546)
Sonoma State University vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Sonoma State University .
- The average SAT score at Northern Kentucky University (1068) is 72 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
- Incoming NKU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Sonoma State University (22)
- Accepted freshman NKU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than Sonoma State University (94.7%)
Sonoma State University vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Sonoma State University or NKU? 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 NKU and Sonoma State University.
- The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (57% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $9,600 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $39,700)
- Sonoma State University students graduate with a $7,450 lower median federal student loan debt than NKU graduates. ($17,500 vs. $24,950)
- Sonoma State University graduates are paying $77 less per month on federal student loans than NKU graduates. ($180 vs. $257)
- More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/