Sacramento State vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 5,891 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Sacramento 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 Sacramento 24:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 12.4% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($16,802 vs. $19,174).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Sacramento (about $606 more per year; $21,224 vs. $20,618).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State University Sacramento (83% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 40.4% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,767 vs. $9,094).

Admissions details

• Incoming Sacramento State students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 20) as students at Sonoma State University (20).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Sacramento State and Sonoma State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Sacramento State average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($15,750 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($162 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 64%).

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