Sonoma State University vs. UH at Hilo

Comparable Facts

Compare Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA with University of Hawaii at Hilo in Hilo, HI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sonoma State University is larger than UH at Hilo based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 2,668 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of Hawaii at Hilo is in Hilo, HI (Remote Town setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; University of Hawaii at Hilo 11:1.

Sonoma State University vs. UH at Hilo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or UH at Hilo? 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 University of Hawaii at Hilo than Sonoma State University ($12,673 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Hilo are 31% lower than at Sonoma State University ($11,586 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH at Hilo (about $786 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Sonoma State University than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (about $426 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $20,798.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sonoma State University students is 14.9% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Hilo students ($9,094 vs. $7,918).

Sonoma State University vs. UH at Hilo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or UH at Hilo? 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 UH at Hilo and Sonoma State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hawaii at Hilo (1060) is 10 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at UH at Hilo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150; University of Hawaii at Hilo 945/1175.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; University of Hawaii at Hilo 15/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; UH at Hilo - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH at Hilo Jul 1, 2027.
• 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 (93.4%) than UH at Hilo (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 24.7% at UH at Hilo.

Sonoma State University vs. UH at Hilo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and UH at Hilo? 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 University of Hawaii at Hilo's (36%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than UH at Hilo graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $2,403 lower median loan debt than UH at Hilo graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,903).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.