San Diego State vs. Sonoma State University

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

San Diego State Sonoma State University
Location San Diego, CA Rohnert Park, CA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 37,402 6,637
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #337 #675
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sdsu.edu sonoma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

San Diego State Sonoma State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,622
Room & Board $19,714 $14,926
Avg Net Price $13,017 $15,507
Avg Grant Aid $9,934 $7,287
% Receiving Grant Aid 43% 77%

Admission

San Diego State Sonoma State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 77,250 10,806
Admitted 30,331 10,158
Acceptance Rate 39.3% 94%
Enrolled % 21.7% 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.4
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 22/29 17/23
SAT Range 1090/1300 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 Nov 30, 2023

Academics

San Diego State Sonoma State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 25:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)

Outcomes

San Diego State Sonoma State University
Graduation Rate 66% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,400 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $15,349 $17,500
Median Loan Payment $158 $180

Diversity

San Diego State Sonoma State University
% Men 42% 37%
% Women 58% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 34% 48%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 31% 29%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 7%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 7%

Students

San Diego State Sonoma State University
% In-State 77% 97%
% Out-of-State 21% 3%

Campus

San Diego State 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

  • San Diego State University is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (37,402 students vs. 6,637 students)

San Diego State vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or Sonoma State University?

  • San Diego State University 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 San Diego State 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 San Diego State University than Sonoma State University ($13,017 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 32.1% lower than costs at San Diego State University ($14,926 vs. $19,714)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sonoma State University than San Diego State University (77% vs. 43%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 36.3% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($9,934 vs. $7,287)

San Diego State vs. Sonoma State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State 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 San Diego State .

  • The average SAT score at San Diego State University (1130) is 134 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
  • Incoming San Diego State students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Sonoma State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Sonoma State University (3.4)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than San Diego State (39.3%)

San Diego State vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, San Diego State 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 San Diego State.

  • The graduation rate at San Diego State is higher than Sonoma State University (66% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from San Diego State University earn on average $4,100 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $49,300)
  • San Diego State University students graduate with a $2,151 lower median federal student loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates. ($15,349 vs. $17,500)
  • San Diego State graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Sonoma State University graduates. ($158 vs. $180)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State 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/