Sonoma State University vs. UH at Hilo

Should I go to Sonoma State University or University of Hawaii at Hilo? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Sonoma State University or UH at Hilo 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. University of Hawaii at Hilo comparison
Sonoma State University University of Hawaii at Hilo College 3 College 4
Sonoma State University University of Hawaii at Hilo
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Overview

Sonoma State University UH at Hilo
Location Rohnert Park, CA Hilo, HI
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 6,637 2,977
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #642
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu hawaii.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University UH at Hilo
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,344
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $20,304
Room & Board $14,926 $8,248
Avg Net Price $15,507 $13,867
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $6,227
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 91%

Admission

Sonoma State University UH at Hilo
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 2,595
Admitted 10,158 2,186
Acceptance Rate 94% 84.2%
Enrolled % 9.5% 17.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.36
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 16/21
SAT Range 950/1150 960/1200
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Sonoma State University UH at Hilo
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University UH at Hilo
Graduation Rate 57% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $38,100
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $19,903
Median Loan Payment $180 $205

Diversity

Sonoma State University UH at Hilo
% Men 37% 35%
% Women 63% 65%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 22%
% Black 2% 1%
% Hispanic 29% 13%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 11%
% Two or More Races 7% 31%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Sonoma State University UH at Hilo
% In-State 97% 63%
% Out-of-State 3% 35%

Campus

Sonoma State University UH at Hilo
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

  • Sonoma State University is larger than than UH at Hilo based on total student enrollment (6,637 students vs. 2,977 students)

Sonoma State University vs. UH at Hilo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or UH at Hilo?

  • University of Hawaii at Hilo is 27.9% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($7,344.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 15.2% higher at UH at Hilo than Sonoma State University ($20,304.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Hawaii at Hilo than Sonoma State University ($13,867 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Hilo are 81% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($8,248 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Hawaii at Hilo than Sonoma State University (91% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sonoma State University students is 17% larger than aid received University of Hawaii at Hilo ($7,287 vs. $6,227)

Sonoma State University vs. UH at Hilo Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sonoma State University (996) is 70 points higher than at UH at Hilo (926)
  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at UH at Hilo (19)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at UH at Hilo (3.36)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than UH at Hilo (84.2%)

Sonoma State University vs. UH at Hilo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sonoma State University or UH at Hilo? 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 UH at Hilo and Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than University of Hawaii at Hilo (57% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $11,200 more per year than UH at Hilo graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $38,100)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $2,403 lower median federal student loan debt than UH at Hilo graduates. ($17,500 vs. $19,903)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than UH at Hilo graduates. ($180 vs. $205)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH at Hilo students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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