Sonoma State University vs. RU

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

Sonoma State University RU
Location Rohnert Park, CA Radford, VA
Setting Large Suburban Distant Town
Enrollment 6,637 7,718
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #566
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu radford.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University RU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $8,156
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $20,246
Room & Board $14,926 $10,567
Avg Net Price $15,507 $17,105
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $9,733
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 96%

Admission

Sonoma State University RU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 11,442
Admitted 10,158 10,680
Acceptance Rate 94% 93.3%
Enrolled % 9.5% 11.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.31
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 19/23
SAT Range 950/1150 960/1160
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Sonoma State University RU
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University RU
Graduation Rate 57% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $180 $237

Diversity

Sonoma State University RU
% Men 37% 33%
% Women 63% 67%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 71%
% Black 2% 13%
% Hispanic 29% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 5%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Sonoma State University RU
% In-State 97% 89%
% Out-of-State 3% 11%

Campus

Sonoma State University RU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Radford University is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (7,718 students vs. 6,637 students)

Sonoma State University vs. RU Cost Comparison

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

  • Radford University is 42% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($8,156.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.9% higher at RU than Sonoma State University ($20,246.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than RU ($15,507 vs. $17,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 41.3% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($10,567 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Radford University than Sonoma State University (96% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 33.6% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($9,733 vs. $7,287)

Sonoma State University vs. RU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at RU (3.31)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than RU (93.3%)

Sonoma State University vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Radford University (57% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $1,900 more per year than RU graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $47,400)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $5,500 lower median federal student loan debt than RU graduates. ($17,500 vs. $23,000)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than RU graduates. ($180 vs. $237)
  • More RU 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/