La Sierra University vs. Sonoma State University

Comparable Facts

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

Sonoma State University is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (5,891 students vs. 1,574 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Sonoma State University is in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Sonoma State University 17:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 20.1% lower than at Sonoma State University ($13,431 vs. $16,802).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.7% higher at La Sierra University than at Sonoma State University (about $16,486 more per year; $37,710 vs. $21,224).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at Sonoma State University (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 204% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($27,646 vs. $9,094).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at La Sierra University than at Sonoma State University (23 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both La Sierra University and Sonoma State University.
• Enrolled first-year students at La Sierra University average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Sonoma State University (3.4).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 8.3% at Sonoma State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $12,500 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($17,500 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $130 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($180 vs. $310).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 52%).

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