California State University-Fresno vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, 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 Fresno is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 5,891 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Fresno 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 Fresno 22:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 28.8% lower than at Sonoma State University ($11,960 vs. $16,802).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.4% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Fresno (about $1,274 more per year; $21,224 vs. $19,950).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at Sonoma State University (85% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 35.5% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,326 vs. $9,094).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University-Fresno (20 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-Fresno and Sonoma State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Sonoma State University average a 3.4 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($155 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.