Sonoma State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sonoma State University is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; Northern State University 19:1.

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or NSU? 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 NSU ($14,614 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 36.9% lower than at Sonoma State University ($10,600 vs. $16,802).
• Northern State University is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $221 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.7% higher at Sonoma State University than at Northern State University (about $9,277 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at Sonoma State University (97% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sonoma State University students is 41.2% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($9,094 vs. $6,441).

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming NSU 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; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at NSU (3.37).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than NSU (93%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 35.2% at NSU.

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and NSU? 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 Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $6,899 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($180 vs. $252).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.