Sonoma State University vs. NSU

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

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Sonoma State University vs. Northern State University comparison
Sonoma State University Northern State University College 3 College 4
Sonoma State University
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Overview

Sonoma State University NSU
Location Rohnert Park, CA Aberdeen, SD
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 6,637 3,344
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #820
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu northern.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,616
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $10,718
Room & Board $14,926 $9,150
Avg Net Price $15,507 $17,264
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $5,715
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 91%

Admission

Sonoma State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 1,322
Admitted 10,158 1,033
Acceptance Rate 94% 78.1%
Enrolled % 9.5% 28.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.37
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/24
SAT Range 950/1150 800/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Sonoma State University NSU
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%)
  • Business (35%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University NSU
Graduation Rate 57% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $37,400
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $24,399
Median Loan Payment $180 $252

Diversity

Sonoma State University NSU
% Men 37% 37%
% Women 63% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 83%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 29% 4%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Sonoma State University NSU
% In-State 97% 69%
% Out-of-State 3% 30%

Campus

Sonoma State University NSU
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

  • Sonoma State University is larger than than NSU based on total student enrollment (6,637 students vs. 3,344 students)

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Northern State University is 32.6% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($7,616.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.4% higher at Sonoma State University than Northern State University ($17,622.00 vs. $10,718.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than NSU ($15,507 vs. $17,264)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 63.1% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($9,150 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern State University than Sonoma State University (91% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sonoma State University students is 27.5% larger than aid received Northern State University ($7,287 vs. $5,715)

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern State University (1024) is 28 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at NSU (22)
  • 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 (94%) than NSU (78.1%)

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sonoma State University or NSU? 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 NSU and Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Northern State University (57% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $11,900 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $37,400)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $6,899 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($17,500 vs. $24,399)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $72 less per month on federal student loans 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/