UCSC vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 22:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

UCSC vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC 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 Sonoma State University than UCSC ($14,614 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 15.8% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($16,802 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 85.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $7,381 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136.5% higher at UCSC than at Sonoma State University (about $28,981 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at University of California Santa Cruz (83% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 150.4% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($22,774 vs. $9,094).

UCSC vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC 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 UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 210 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Sonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Sonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

UCSC vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC 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 Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Sonoma State University's (57%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $2,459 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($180 vs. $206).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

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.