Sonoma State University vs. Colorado Mesa

Should I go to Sonoma State University or Colorado Mesa University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Sonoma State University or Colorado Mesa 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.

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Sonoma State University vs. Colorado Mesa University comparison
Sonoma State University Colorado Mesa University College 3 College 4
Sonoma State University Colorado Mesa University
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Overview

Sonoma State University Colorado Mesa
Location Rohnert Park, CA Grand Junction, CO
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 6,637 8,905
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #886
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu mesastate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University Colorado Mesa
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $8,261
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $21,983
Room & Board $14,926 $11,522
Avg Net Price $15,507 $15,085
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $9,209
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 87%

Admission

Sonoma State University Colorado Mesa
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 9,810
Admitted 10,158 8,021
Acceptance Rate 94% 81.8%
Enrolled % 9.5% 21.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.28
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23 18/25
SAT Range 950/1150 930/1180
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

Sonoma State University Colorado Mesa
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Health Professions (26%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University Colorado Mesa
Graduation Rate 57% 25%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 48%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $21,750
Median Loan Payment $180 $224

Diversity

Sonoma State University Colorado Mesa
% Men 37% 47%
% Women 63% 53%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 48% 70%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 29% 17%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 7% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Sonoma State University Colorado Mesa
% In-State 97% 83%
% Out-of-State 3% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Colorado Mesa University is larger than than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (8,905 students vs. 6,637 students)

Sonoma State University vs. Colorado Mesa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or Colorado Mesa?

  • Colorado Mesa University is 43.9% more expensive to attend than Sonoma State University for in-state tuition ($8,261.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 24.7% higher at Colorado Mesa than Sonoma State University ($21,983.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado Mesa University than Sonoma State University ($15,085 vs. $15,507)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mesa University are 29.5% lower than costs at Sonoma State University ($11,522 vs. $14,926)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Colorado Mesa University than Sonoma State University (87% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado Mesa University students is 26.4% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($9,209 vs. $7,287)

Sonoma State University vs. Colorado Mesa Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sonoma State University (996) is 44 points higher than at Colorado Mesa (952)
  • Incoming Sonoma State University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Colorado Mesa (20)
  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Colorado Mesa (3.28)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Colorado Mesa (81.8%)

Sonoma State University vs. Colorado Mesa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sonoma State University or Colorado Mesa? 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 Colorado Mesa and Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Colorado Mesa University (57% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $9,300 more per year than Colorado Mesa graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $40,000)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $4,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Colorado Mesa graduates. ($17,500 vs. $21,750)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $44 less per month on federal student loans than Colorado Mesa graduates. ($180 vs. $224)
  • More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mesa students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 48%)

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