Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Sonoma State University is a public regional university located in Rohnert Park, California. Sonoma State University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Sonoma State University is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $58,788 10 years after enrolling, 48th in California, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Sonoma State University bachelor students earn 11% more than the national average. Sonoma State University is ranked 34th in California.
Sonoma State University’s median net annual cost of $17,563 and average years to graduate of 4.7 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Sonoma State University sorted by number of graduates - Business Administration, Psychology, Sociology, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Education, Other, Health & Fitness - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$17,563
Average years to graduate
4.7
Registered Nursing
Rank: #25
Economic score: 0.65
Computer Science
Rank: #48
Economic score: 1.08
Criminal Justice
Rank: #74
Economic score: 3.15
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #102
Economic score: 3.56
Human Development & Family
Rank: #8
Economic score: 3.67
English Language & Lit
Rank: #73
Economic score: 4.36
Biology
Rank: #190
Economic score: 4.8
Ethnic/Gender studies
Rank: #32
Economic score: 6.94
History
Rank: #204
Economic score: 7.32
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #419
Economic score: 15.93
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 4 graduate programs at Sonoma State University - Business Administration, Registered Nursing, Education, General, Student Counseling - are shown below.
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.7 years. 70% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Sonoma State University is 3% higher than the state average, and 12% above the average for all regional universities in the country.
At Sonoma State University, Pell Grant recipients represent 34% of the measured graduating class, 1% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Sonoma State University graduates within 4.7 years.
Sonoma State University is in the top 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Sonoma State University’s economic mobility score of 27.63 is calculated by adjusting the 1.75 economic score of lower-income students by the 34% pell grant recipients within the student body. Sonoma State University’s EMS of 27.63 ranks in the top 25% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 25%
The average Title IV recipient at Sonoma State University pays $17,563 a year, $9,161 less than the $26,724 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $17,563
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Sonoma State University, 68% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $17,563 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 21% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $5,037. This is 33% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,719
Pell grants
$4,657
State grants
$2,399
Institutional grants
$4,809
Sonoma State University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 94% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 10,598 applicants, of which 9,934 were admitted and 822 enrolled. Sonoma State University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
92%
83%
Female
67%
59%
First time
65%
59%
In-state
99%
68%
1st generation
41%
35%
White
42%
52%
Black
2%
14%
Hispanic
37%
15%
Asian
5%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
13%
12%