CSU Stanislaus vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, 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 Stanislaus is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (9,724 students vs. 5,891 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Stanislaus is located in Turlock, CA (Small Suburban setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Stanislaus 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 Stanislaus 18:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Stanislaus are 21.9% lower than at Sonoma State University ($13,126 vs. $16,802).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State University Stanislaus (about $378 more per year; $21,224 vs. $20,846).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Stanislaus than at Sonoma State University (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Stanislaus students is 37.4% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,492 vs. $9,094).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU Stanislaus and Sonoma State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Stanislaus Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at CSU Stanislaus average a 3.47 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at CSU Stanislaus vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Stanislaus graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU Stanislaus 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 CSU Stanislaus 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.