Sonoma State University vs. Salem State University

Comparable Facts

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

Salem State University is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (6,230 students vs. 5,891 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 0.2% lower than at Salem State University ($16,802 vs. $16,838).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at Sonoma State University than at Salem State University (about $1,693 more per year; $21,224 vs. $19,531).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at Sonoma State University (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 13.5% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($10,319 vs. $9,094).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Sonoma State University and Salem State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Sonoma State University average a 3.4 high school GPA, 0.23 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($17,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Sonoma State University graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($180 vs. $248).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 63%).

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