UC Riverside vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (26,384 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Riverside is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Riverside 22:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

UC Riverside vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Riverside or Sonoma State University? 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 California Riverside than Sonoma State University ($14,562 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 18.8% lower than at University of California Riverside ($16,802 vs. $20,691).
• University of California Riverside is 81% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $6,982 more per year; $15,606.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.7% higher at UC Riverside than at Sonoma State University (about $28,582 more per year; $49,806.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at University of California Riverside (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Riverside students is 167.8% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($24,355 vs. $9,094).

UC Riverside vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Riverside or Sonoma State University? 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 Sonoma State University and UC Riverside.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Riverside (1180) is 130 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming UC Riverside students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 1080/1280; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Riverside 22/31; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Riverside - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than UC Riverside (76.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at UC Riverside vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

UC Riverside vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Riverside and Sonoma State University? 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).

• University of California Riverside's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Sonoma State University's (57%).
• Graduates from University of California Riverside earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,200 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $1,609 lower median loan debt than UC Riverside graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,109).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Riverside graduates ($180 vs. $197).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.