Sonoma State University vs. Salem State University

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

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Sonoma State University vs. Salem State University comparison
Sonoma State University Salem State University College 3 College 4
Sonoma State University Salem State University
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Overview

Sonoma State University Salem State University
Location Rohnert Park, CA Salem, MA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 6,637 6,539
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #675 #733
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sonoma.edu salemstate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Sonoma State University Salem State University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $910
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $7,050
Room & Board $14,926 $14,954
Avg Net Price $15,507 $19,277
Avg Grant Aid $7,287 $8,562
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 99%

Admission

Sonoma State University Salem State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,806 5,093
Admitted 10,158 4,719
Acceptance Rate 94% 92.7%
Enrolled % 9.5% 18.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.17
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 950/1150 986/1210
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2024

Academics

Sonoma State University Salem State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (5%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)

Outcomes

Sonoma State University Salem State University
Graduation Rate 57% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,300 $44,400
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 63%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,500 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $180 $248

Diversity

Sonoma State University Salem State University
% Men 37% 31%
% Women 63% 69%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 48% 68%
% Black 2% 9%
% Hispanic 29% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 2% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

Sonoma State University Salem State University
% In-State 97% 90%
% Out-of-State 3% 8%

Campus

Sonoma State University Salem 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

  • Sonoma State University is larger than than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (6,637 students vs. 6,539 students)

Sonoma State University vs. Salem State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or Salem State University?

  • Sonoma State University is 531% more expensive to attend than Salem State University for in-state tuition ($5,742.00 vs. $910.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 150% higher at Sonoma State University than Salem State University ($17,622.00 vs. $7,050.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sonoma State University than Salem State University ($15,507 vs. $19,277)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sonoma State University are 0.2% lower than costs at Salem State University ($14,926 vs. $14,954)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Salem State University than Sonoma State University (99% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Salem State University students is 17.5% larger than aid received Sonoma State University ($8,562 vs. $7,287)

Sonoma State University vs. Salem State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Salem State University (3.17)
  • Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Salem State University (92.7%)

Sonoma State University vs. Salem State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Sonoma State University or Salem 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 Salem State University and Sonoma State University.

  • The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is higher than Salem State University (57% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Sonoma State University earn on average $4,900 more per year than Salem State University graduates after ten years. ($49,300 vs. $44,400)
  • Sonoma State University students graduate with a $6,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Salem State University graduates. ($17,500 vs. $24,000)
  • Sonoma State University graduates are paying $68 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/