Sonoma State University vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA with Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (8,523 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than Sonoma State University ($13,134 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are 35% lower than at Sonoma State University ($10,926 vs. $16,802).
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana is 2.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sonoma State University (about $240 more per year; $8,864.00 vs. $8,624.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Sonoma State University than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (about $1,572 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $19,652.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than at Sonoma State University (93% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 33% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,098 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and Sonoma State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sonoma State University (1050) is 40 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming NSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at NSU (3.3).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than NSU (92.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 37.4% at NSU.

Sonoma State University vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Sonoma State University's six-year graduation rate (57%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from Sonoma State University earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $4,031 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($17,500 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($180 vs. $222).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.