CSU Bakersfield vs. Sonoma State University

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

CSU Bakersfield Sonoma State University
Location Bakersfield, CA Rohnert Park, CA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 9,613 6,637
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csub.edu sonoma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CSU Bakersfield Sonoma State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,622
Room & Board $14,230 $14,926
Avg Net Price $7,521 $15,507
Avg Grant Aid $10,750 $7,287
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 77%

Admission

CSU Bakersfield Sonoma State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,834 10,806
Admitted 11,973 10,158
Acceptance Rate 86.5% 94%
Enrolled % 9.2% 9.5%
Avg High School GPA - 3.4
Typical High School Grades - B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 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 Bakersfield Sonoma State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)

Outcomes

CSU Bakersfield Sonoma State University
Graduation Rate 41% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $13,168 $17,500
Median Loan Payment $136 $180

Diversity

CSU Bakersfield Sonoma State University
% Men 33% 37%
% Women 67% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 20% 48%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 54% 29%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 7%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 7%

Students

CSU Bakersfield Sonoma State University
% In-State 96% 97%
% Out-of-State 1% 3%

Campus

CSU Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (9,613 students vs. 6,637 students)

CSU Bakersfield vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

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

  • California State University Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield 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 California State University Bakersfield than Sonoma State University ($7,521 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 4.9% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($14,230 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than Sonoma State University (88% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 47.5% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($10,750 vs. $7,287)

CSU Bakersfield vs. Sonoma State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield .

  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than CSU Bakersfield (86.5%)

CSU Bakersfield vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU Bakersfield 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 Bakersfield.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than California State University Bakersfield (57% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $1,000 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $48,300)
  • California State University Bakersfield students graduate with a $4,332 lower median federal student loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates. ($13,168 vs. $17,500)
  • CSU Bakersfield graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than Sonoma State University graduates. ($136 vs. $180)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 54%)

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