CSU vs. Sonoma State University

California State University Chico and Sonoma State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Chico
Sonoma State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU (92.7% admitted vs 93.4%). Typical SAT 1070 vs 1050.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $14,630 at CSU vs $14,614 at Sonoma State University. Sonoma State University in-state tuition is about $152 more per year.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs Sonoma State University 57%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs Sonoma State University $49,300 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Chico Sonoma State University
Acceptance rate
CSU more selective
CSU92.7%
Sonoma State University93.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSU higher
CSU970-1170
Sonoma State University950-1150
Average net price
About even
CSU$14,630
Sonoma State University$14,614
In-state tuition
CSU $152 less
CSU$8,472
Sonoma State University$8,624
Out-of-state tuition
CSU $152 less
CSU$21,072
Sonoma State University$21,224
Graduation rate
CSU +2 pts
CSU59%
Sonoma State University57%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$3,100
CSU$52,400
Sonoma State University$49,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • Sonoma State University 11,246
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • Sonoma State University 10,507
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • Sonoma State University 93.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • Sonoma State University 8.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • Sonoma State University 1050
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • Sonoma State University 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • Sonoma State University 3.4
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • Sonoma State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Sonoma State University Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • Sonoma State University
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • Sonoma State University 950-1150
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • Sonoma State University 17-23
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • Sonoma State University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • Sonoma State University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • Sonoma State University $8,624
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • Sonoma State University $21,224
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • Sonoma State University $16,802
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • Sonoma State University $14,614
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • Sonoma State University $9,094
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • Sonoma State University 83%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • Sonoma State University 57%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • Sonoma State University $49,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • Sonoma State University 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • Sonoma State University $17,500
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • Sonoma State University $180
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • Sonoma State University 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Sonoma State University
    • Business (19%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • Sonoma State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • Sonoma State University 5,891
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • Sonoma State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • Sonoma State University #635

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Chico is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 5,891 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
  • California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 1.8% lower than at Sonoma State University ($16,500 vs. $16,802).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Chico (about $152 more per year; $21,224 vs. $21,072).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State University Chico (83% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 26.6% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($11,509 vs. $9,094).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at CSU than at Sonoma State University (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and Sonoma State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Sonoma State University average a 3.4 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at CSU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($17,000 vs. $17,500).
  • Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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