USD vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Diego is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

USD vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD 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 USD ($14,614 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 15.6% lower than at University of San Diego ($16,802 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 589.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $50,862 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180.3% higher at USD than at Sonoma State University (about $38,262 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $21,224.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at Sonoma State University (84% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 350.5% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($40,965 vs. $9,094).

USD vs. Sonoma State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USD 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 USD.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSonoma State University 950/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSonoma State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; Sonoma State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

USD vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than Sonoma State University's (57%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $5,404 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($17,500 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($180 vs. $236).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.