Sonoma State University vs. UNK

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

Sonoma State University UNK
Location Rohnert Park, CA Kearney, NE
Setting Large Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 5,990 6,017
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #625 #574
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University UNK
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $6,450
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $12,418
Room & Board $15,770 $11,936
Avg Net Price $15,113 $16,249
Avg Grant Aid $8,546 $8,779
% Receiving Grant Aid 83% 86%

Admission

Sonoma State University UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,529 7,253
Admitted 9,974 6,222
Acceptance Rate 94.7% 85.8%
Enrolled % 9.1% 14.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/25
SAT Range 950/1150 970/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Sonoma State University UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University UNK
Graduation Rate 57% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $180 $219

Diversity

Sonoma State University UNK
% Men 3% 8%
% Women 7% 22%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 79%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 29% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 2% 5%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Sonoma State University UNK
% In-State 98% 86%
% Out-of-State 2% 9%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (6,017 students vs. 5,990 students)

Sonoma State University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is 12.3% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($6,450.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 41.9% higher at Sonoma State University than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($17,622.00 vs. $12,418.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than UNK ($15,113 vs. $16,249)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 32.1% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($11,936 vs. $15,770)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than Sonoma State University (86% vs. 83%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 2.7% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($8,779 vs. $8,546)

Sonoma State University vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1049) is 53 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
  • Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Sonoma State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94.7%) than UNK (85.8%)

Sonoma State University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than Sonoma State University (61% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $5,900 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $43,400)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than UNK graduates. ($17,500 vs. $21,250)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than UNK graduates. ($180 vs. $219)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 69%)

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