San Jose State vs. Sonoma State University

Should I go to San Jose State University or Sonoma State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if San Jose State or Sonoma State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
San Jose State University vs. Sonoma State University comparison
San Jose State University Sonoma State University College 3 College 4
San Jose State University Sonoma State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

San Jose State Sonoma State University
Location San Jose, CA Rohnert Park, CA
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 35,751 6,637
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #558 #675
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sjsu.edu sonoma.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

San Jose State Sonoma State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $17,622
Room & Board $18,568 $14,926
Avg Net Price $14,219 $15,507
Avg Grant Aid $9,210 $7,287
% Receiving Grant Aid 59% 77%

Admission

San Jose State Sonoma State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 34,002 10,806
Admitted 26,083 10,158
Acceptance Rate 76.7% 94%
Enrolled % 15.5% 9.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.35 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 17/23
SAT Range 1010/1240 950/1150
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Dec 15, 2023

Academics

San Jose State Sonoma State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (30%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)

Outcomes

San Jose State Sonoma State University
Graduation Rate 46% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,900 $49,300
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $15,000 $17,500
Median Loan Payment $155 $180

Diversity

San Jose State Sonoma State University
% Men 48% 37%
% Women 52% 63%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 19% 48%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 26% 29%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 7%

Students

San Jose State Sonoma State University
% In-State 96% 97%
% Out-of-State 1% 3%

Campus

San Jose State Sonoma State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • San Jose State University is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (35,751 students vs. 6,637 students)

San Jose State vs. Sonoma State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose State or Sonoma State University?

  • San Jose State University and Sonoma State University cost the same to attend based on in-state tuition ($5,742.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is the same at San Jose State as Sonoma State University ($17,622.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Jose State University than Sonoma State University ($14,219 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 24.4% lower than costs at San Jose State University ($14,926 vs. $18,568)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sonoma State University than San Jose State University (77% vs. 59%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 26.4% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($9,210 vs. $7,287)

San Jose State vs. Sonoma State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Jose State or Sonoma State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Sonoma State University or San Jose State .

  • The average SAT score at San Jose State University (1055) is 59 points higher than at Sonoma State University (996)
  • Incoming San Jose State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Sonoma State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at San Jose State (3.35)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than San Jose State (76.7%)

San Jose State vs. Sonoma State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, San Jose State or Sonoma State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Sonoma State University and San Jose State.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than San Jose State University (57% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from San Jose State University earn on average $10,600 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates after ten years. ($59,900 vs. $49,300)
  • San Jose State University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates. ($15,000 vs. $17,500)
  • San Jose State graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than Sonoma State University graduates. ($155 vs. $180)
  • More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sonoma State University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/