Sonoma State University vs. Western Oregon State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA with Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sonoma State University is larger than Western Oregon State College based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 3,722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); Western Oregon University is in Monmouth, OR (Town Fringe setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Oregon University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; Western Oregon University 13:1.

Sonoma State University vs. Western Oregon State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or Western Oregon State College? 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 Western Oregon University than Sonoma State University ($14,006 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Oregon University are 25.4% lower than at Sonoma State University ($12,528 vs. $16,802).
• Western Oregon University is 37.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $3,255 more per year; $11,879.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.3% higher at Western Oregon State College than at Sonoma State University (about $11,310 more per year; $32,534.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Oregon University than at Sonoma State University (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Oregon University students is 12.6% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($10,241 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. Western Oregon State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or Western Oregon State College? 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 Western Oregon State College and Sonoma State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 60 points higher than at Western Oregon State College (990).
• Incoming Western Oregon State College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150; Western Oregon University 868/1108.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; Western Oregon University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; Western Oregon State College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Western Oregon State College (3.36).
• Western Oregon State College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Sonoma State University (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 18.6% at Western Oregon State College.

Sonoma State University vs. Western Oregon State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and Western Oregon State College? 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 Western Oregon University's (39%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Western Oregon State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $41,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $7,002 lower median loan debt than Western Oregon State College graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,502).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Oregon State College graduates ($180 vs. $253).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Oregon State College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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.