Sonoma State University vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

Compare Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA with University of Houston Clear Lake in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than Sonoma State University based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 5,891 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sonoma State University is located in Rohnert Park, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Sonoma State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sonoma State University 17:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

Sonoma State University vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sonoma State University or UHCL? 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 University of Houston Clear Lake than Sonoma State University ($14,059 vs. $14,614).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 24.8% lower than at Sonoma State University ($12,642 vs. $16,802).
• Sonoma State University is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $854 more per year; $8,624.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at Sonoma State University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $110 more per year; $21,224.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sonoma State University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 38.9% larger than aid received by Sonoma State University students ($12,630 vs. $9,094).

Sonoma State University vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sonoma State University or UHCL? 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 UHCL and Sonoma State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 10 points higher than at Sonoma State University (1050).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Sonoma State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 950/1150; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sonoma State University 17/23; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sonoma State University - Test-free; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sonoma State University students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at UHCL (3.39).
• Sonoma State University has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.3% at Sonoma State University vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

Sonoma State University vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sonoma State University and UHCL? 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).

• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Sonoma State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $350 lower median loan debt than Sonoma State University graduates ($17,150 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sonoma State University graduates ($177 vs. $180).
• More Sonoma State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHCL students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.