Sonoma State University vs. Central Washington University

Sonoma State University and Central Washington University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Sonoma State University
Central Washington University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central Washington University (90.6% admitted vs 93.4%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1050.
  • Cheaper after aid: Sonoma State University. Average net price is $14,614 vs $19,898 at Central Washington University.
  • Graduation: Sonoma State University 57% vs Central Washington University 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Sonoma State University $49,300 vs Central Washington University $47,800 (median).
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Key differences

Sonoma State University Central Washington University
Acceptance rate
Central Washington University more selective
Sonoma State University93.4%
Central Washington University90.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Sonoma State University higher
Sonoma State University950-1150
Central Washington University930-1150
Average net price
Sonoma State University $5,284 less
Sonoma State University$14,614
Central Washington University$19,898
In-state tuition
Sonoma State University $793 less
Sonoma State University$8,624
Central Washington University$9,417
Out-of-state tuition
Sonoma State University $6,302 less
Sonoma State University$21,224
Central Washington University$27,526
Graduation rate
Sonoma State University +1 pts
Sonoma State University57%
Central Washington University56%
Median earnings (10 years)
Sonoma State University +$1,500
Sonoma State University$49,300
Central Washington University$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Sonoma State University 11,246
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • Admitted
  • Sonoma State University 10,507
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • Acceptance rate
  • Sonoma State University 93.4%
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Sonoma State University 8.3%
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Sonoma State University 1050
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • Sonoma State University 20
  • Central Washington University 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • Sonoma State University 3.4
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • Typical high school grades
  • Sonoma State University B+
  • Central Washington University B
  • Admissions standards
  • Sonoma State University Extremely Easy
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Sonoma State University
  • Central Washington University
  • SAT range
  • Sonoma State University 950-1150
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • ACT range
  • Sonoma State University 17-23
  • Central Washington University 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Sonoma State University Test-free
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Sonoma State University
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Sonoma State University $8,624
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Sonoma State University $21,224
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • Room & board
  • Sonoma State University $16,802
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • Average net price
  • Sonoma State University $14,614
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • Average grant aid
  • Sonoma State University $9,094
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Sonoma State University 83%
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • Graduation rate
  • Sonoma State University 57%
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Sonoma State University $49,300
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Sonoma State University 69%
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Sonoma State University $17,500
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • Median loan payment
  • Sonoma State University $180
  • Central Washington University $214
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Sonoma State University 17:1
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Sonoma State University
    • Business (19%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
    • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Location
  • Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • Setting
  • Sonoma State University Large Suburban
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Sonoma State University 5,891
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • Type
  • Sonoma State University Public 4 Year
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Sonoma State University #635
  • Central Washington University #621

Comparable Facts

Compare Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA with Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Central Washington University is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 5,891 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); Central Washington University is in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting).
  • Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; Central Washington University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 1.9% lower than at Sonoma State University ($16,480 vs. $16,802).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 29.7% higher at Central Washington University than at Sonoma State University (about $6,302 more per year; $27,526 vs. $21,224).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Washington University than at Sonoma State University (85% vs. 83%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sonoma State University students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($9,094 vs. $8,816).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 20) as students at Central Washington University (20).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Sonoma State University and Central Washington University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Sonoma State University average a 3.4 high school GPA, 0.32 higher than at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 20% at Central Washington University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $3,237 lower median loan debt than Central Washington University graduates ($17,500 vs. $20,737).
  • Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Washington University graduates ($180 vs. $214).
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 60%).

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

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