Sonoma State University vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sonoma State University is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

Sonoma State University vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($14,614 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 19.1% lower than at Sonoma State University ($13,600 vs. $16,802).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 551.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $47,538 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 164.6% higher at SCI-Arc than at Sonoma State University (about $34,938 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (83% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 368.7% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($42,627 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and Sonoma State University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 80 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Sonoma State University 950/1150; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

Sonoma State University vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Sonoma State University's (57%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $25,250 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($17,500 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $262 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($180 vs. $442).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.