Overview
Sonoma State University is a public 4-year college located in Rohnert Park, California. There are currently 5,892 undergraduates at Sonoma State and the school’s acceptance rate is 94%. The tuition at Sonoma State is $8,060 for in-state students and $19,940 for out-of-state.
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
5,892
Pell Grant 34%
Undergrad Students Over 25 15%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 14%
Percent Male / Female 38% / 62%
Ethnic Diversity at Sonoma State
41% White
41% Hispanic
6% Multiracial
5% Asian / Pacific Islander
4% Unknown
3% Black
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Graduation Rate
60%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
19%
19% of graduates
Social Sciences
14%
14% of graduates
Psychology
9%
9% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
6%
6% of graduates
Education
6%
6% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
5%
5% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
5%
5% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
English Language & Literature
4%
4% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
3%
3% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
3%
3% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$27,352
$24,704
$14,528
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$27,352for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$39,232for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Sonoma State is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Sonoma State is $27,352 for in-state students in CA, and $39,232 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Sonoma State would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Sonoma State
If you reside in California and are considering Sonoma State, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarshipsSonoma State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Sonoma State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Sonoma State University is 001156.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
Sonoma State is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at Sonoma State. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at Sonoma State University
35% of students at Sonoma State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Sonoma State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Sonoma State students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
94%
Is Sonoma State test-optional?
Sonoma State University is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Sonoma State?
Students must apply by March 1 to enroll at Sonoma State during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$65,986
Median Debt $16,705
Debt 10 years after graduation $177
Graduation Rate 60%
What is the graduation rate at Sonoma State University?
60% of students who start at Sonoma State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 2% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Sonoma State University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Sonoma State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $65,986. This is $15,595 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Sonoma State take out in loans?
Graduates of Sonoma State have to take out a median of $16,705 in federal student loans. This is $3,205 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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