California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (6,237 students vs. 5,891 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is located in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 16% lower than at Sonoma State University ($14,118 vs. $16,802).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.8% higher at Sonoma State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $374 more per year; $21,224 vs. $20,850).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (83% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students is 18.2% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($10,748 vs. $9,094).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at Sonoma State University (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and Sonoma State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Sonoma State University average a 3.4 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($17,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($180 vs. $201).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 56%).

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