Sonoma State University vs. NSU

Should I go to Sonoma State University or Northwestern State University of Louisiana? 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. Northwestern State University of Louisiana comparison
Sonoma State University Northwestern State University of Louisiana College 3 College 4
Sonoma State University Northwestern State University of Louisiana
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Overview

 Sonoma State University NSU
Location Rohnert Park, CA Natchitoches, LA
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 6,637 9,389
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #975
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu nsula.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Sonoma State University NSU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $5,180
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $15,968
Room & Board $14,926 $10,269
Avg Net Price $15,507 $14,238
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $9,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 89%

Admission

 Sonoma State University NSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 2,903
Admitted 10,158 2,843
Acceptance Rate 94% 97.9%
Enrolled % 9.5% 35.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.3
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/23
SAT Range 950/1150 955/1135
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 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (39%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

 Sonoma State University NSU
Graduation Rate 57% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $38,100
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $21,531
Median Loan Payment $180 $222

Diversity

 Sonoma State University NSU
% Men 37% 29%
% Women 63% 71%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 54%
% Black 2% 31%
% Hispanic 29% 5%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

 Sonoma State University NSU
% In-State 97% 98%
% Out-of-State 3% 2%

Campus

 Sonoma State University NSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (9,389 students vs. 6,637 students)

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

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

  • Sonoma State University is 10.8% more expensive to attend than NSU for in-state tuition ($5,742.00 vs. $5,180.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.4% higher at Sonoma State University than Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($17,622.00 vs. $15,968.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than Sonoma State University ($14,238 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 45.4% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($10,269 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than Sonoma State University (89% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 30.4% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($9,499 vs. $7,287)

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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1008) is 12 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 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at NSU (3.3)
  • NSU has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Sonoma State University (94%)

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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana (57% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $11,200 more per year than NSU graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $38,100)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $4,031 lower median federal student loan debt than NSU graduates. ($17,500 vs. $21,531)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than NSU graduates. ($180 vs. $222)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 46%)

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