CSU vs. Sonoma State University

Should I go to California State University Chico or Sonoma State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or Sonoma State University 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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California State University Chico vs. Sonoma State University comparison
California State University Chico Sonoma State University College 3 College 4
California State University Chico Sonoma State University
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Overview

CSU Sonoma State University
Location Chico, CA Rohnert Park, CA
Setting Small City Large Suburban
Enrollment 14,183 6,637
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #659 #675
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu sonoma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU Sonoma State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,622
Room & Board $15,212 $14,926
Avg Net Price $15,517 $15,507
Avg Grant Aid $9,162 $7,287
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 77%

Admission

CSU Sonoma State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,417 10,806
Admitted 20,347 10,158
Acceptance Rate 95% 94%
Enrolled % 9.9% 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/23
SAT Range 970/1170 950/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Dec 15, 2023

Academics

CSU Sonoma State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)

Outcomes

CSU Sonoma State University
Graduation Rate 59% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $17,500
Median Loan Payment $175 $180

Diversity

CSU Sonoma State University
% Men 45% 37%
% Women 55% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 46% 48%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 29% 29%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 7% 7%

Students

CSU Sonoma State University
% In-State 97% 97%
% Out-of-State 2% 3%

Campus

CSU Sonoma State University
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

  • California State University Chico is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (14,183 students vs. 6,637 students)

CSU vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

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

  • California State University Chico and Sonoma State University cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($5,742.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is the same at CSU as Sonoma State University ($17,622.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than CSU ($15,507 vs. $15,517)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 1.9% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($14,926 vs. $15,212)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sonoma State University than California State University Chico (77% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 25.7% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($9,162 vs. $7,287)

CSU vs. Sonoma State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at California State University Chico (1003) is 7 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
  • Incoming CSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Sonoma State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at CSU (3.37)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than Sonoma State University (94%)

CSU vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at CSU is higher than Sonoma State University (59% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $3,100 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $49,300)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $500 lower median federal student loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates. ($17,000 vs. $17,500)
  • CSU graduates are paying $5 less per month on federal student loans than Sonoma State University graduates. ($175 vs. $180)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

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