Sonoma State University

https://sonoma.edu

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2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$6,084

5.96% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$14,614

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

93.4%

11,246 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

5,891

83.9% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

57.6%

1,017 Graduates

About

Sonoma State University is a higher education institution located in Sonoma County, CA. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Sonoma State University were General Business Administration & Management (337 degrees awarded), General Psychology (238 degrees), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (105 degrees).

In 2024, 1,906 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Sonoma State University. 63.9% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 36.1% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (838 degrees), 1.14 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (738 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Sonoma State University is $6,084, which is $−17,916 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Sonoma State University is $6,084, which is $17,916 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $14,614.

In 2024, 67% of undergraduate students attending Sonoma State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 27% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$6,084

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Sonoma State University was $6,084. The cost of tuition at Sonoma State University is $−17,916 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,000).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Sonoma State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$14,614

2024 Value

3.3%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Sonoma State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $14,614. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Sonoma State University grew by 3.3%.

This chart compares the average net price of Sonoma State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$17,600

Room and Board

$822

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Sonoma State University was of $17,600 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 7.61% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $822. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 21.3% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Sonoma State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

67%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

27%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

67% of undergraduate students at Sonoma State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 1.52% with respect to 2023, when 66% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Sonoma State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Sonoma State University received 11,246 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 6.81% annual growth. Out of those 11,246 applicants, 10,507 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 93.4% acceptance rate.

There were 5,891 students enrolled at Sonoma State University in 2024. 90% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Sonoma State University has an overall enrollment yield of 8.31%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

93.4%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

10,507

Accepted Out of 11,246

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Sonoma State University was 93.4% (10,507 admissions from 11,246 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 94.7%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 6.81%, while admissions grew by 5.34%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Sonoma State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

90%

Submission Percentage (2020)

826

Scores Submitted (2020)

90% of enrolled first-time students at Sonoma State University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Sonoma State University had a total enrollment of 5,891 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Sonoma State University is 4,940 students and the part-time enrollment is 951. This means that 83.9% of students enrolled at Sonoma State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Sonoma State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 41.4% White, 40.6% Hispanic or Latino, 6.23% Two or More Races, 4.62% Asian, 2.78% Black or African American, 0.39% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.272% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Sonoma State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly Hispanic or Latino Female (27.5%), followed by White Female (23.2%) and White Male (16.4%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (39.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino Female (23.2%) and White Male (14.8%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

83.9%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Sonoma State University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 5,891 students. The full-time enrollment at Sonoma State University is 4,940 and the part-time enrollment is 951. This means that 83.9% of students enrolled at Sonoma State University are enrolled full-time compared with 67.1% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Sonoma State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

79%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Sonoma State University was 79%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (73%), Sonoma State University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Sonoma State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
2,436 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
2,394 enrolled students
Two or More Races
367 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Sonoma State University is 41.4% White, 40.6% Hispanic or Latino, 6.23% Two or More Races, 4.62% Asian, 2.78% Black or African American, 0.39% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.272% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 47.4% White, 18.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.6% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 187 students (3.17%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 528 more women than men received degrees from Sonoma State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Sonoma State University is white (838 degrees awarded). There were 1.14 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (738 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Sonoma State University is General Business Administration & Management (337 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (238 degrees) and Liberal Arts & Sciences (105 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Sonoma State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Cultural & Gender Studies (33 degrees awarded), English (69 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (97 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Sonoma State University are Elementary & middle school teachers (290,488 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (234,547 people), Other managers (233,231 people), Secondary school teachers (175,339 people), and Postsecondary teachers (171,149 people).

The most specialized majors at Sonoma State University in 2024 are Cultural & Gender Studies (33 degrees awarded), English (69 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (97 degrees), History (40 degrees), and Psychology (238 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Sonoma State University are Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Logisticians, Magnetic resonance imaging technologists, and Economists

The most specialized majors at Sonoma State University are Cultural & Gender Studies (33 degrees awarded), English (69 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (97 degrees), History (40 degrees), and Psychology (238 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Sonoma State University are Elementary & secondary schools (819,206 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (434,472 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (316,897 people), Outpatient care centers (236,095 people), and Legal services (197,842 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Sonoma State University.

Most Common (2024)

General Business Administration & Management
337 degrees awarded
General Psychology
238 degrees awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
105 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Sonoma State University was General Business Administration & Management with 337 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Sonoma State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

689

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

1,217

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 689 degrees were awarded to men at Sonoma State University, which is 0.566 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,217).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Sonoma State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 198 degrees were awarded to men at Sonoma State University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 1.18 times more than the 168 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 183 degrees were awarded to men at Sonoma State University in General Psychology, which is 3.33 times more than the 55 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

40%

100% Completion Time

60%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 40% of students graduating from Sonoma State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 60% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 61% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (66.7%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Sonoma State University is Female and Asian (66.7% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 4.33% of graduates (44 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
838 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
738 degrees awarded
Asian
98 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Sonoma State University is white (838 degrees awarded). There were 1.14 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (738 degrees).

4.51% of degree recipients (86 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Female
879 degrees awarded
White Female
875 degrees awarded
White Female
819 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Sonoma State University is white female (879 degrees awarded). There were 1 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (875 degrees).

Operations

Sonoma State University has an endowment valued at nearly $51.6M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 7.78M (15.1%) compared to the 9.2% average return (4.22M on 45.9M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2024, Sonoma State University had a total salary expenditure of 220M. Sonoma State University employs 113 Professors, 61 Associate professors and 29 Assistant professors. Most academics at Sonoma State University are Male Professor (66), Female Professor (47), and Female Associate professor (39).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Sonoma State University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 167 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 131 employees, and Service with 85 employees.

Endowment

$51.6M

2024 Endowment

1.91%

growth from 2023

Sonoma State University has an endowment valued at about $51.6M, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Sonoma State University grew 1.91% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $5.71M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Sonoma State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$9.95M - Federal
$3.62M - State
$351k - Local

As of 2024, Sonoma State University received $9.95M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $3.62M from state grants and contracts, and $351k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$81.5M

2024 Salaries

2.48%

decline from 2023

In 2024, Sonoma State University paid a median of $81.5M in salaries, which represents 37.1% of their overall expenditure ($220M) and a 2.48% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 8.5% growth between 2022 and 2023, and a 2.5% growth between 2021 and 2022.

Instructional Salaries

$26.6M

Instructional Salaries

229

Number of Employees

In 2024, Sonoma State University paid a total of $26.6M to 229 employees working as instructors, which represents 32.6% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $965k (3.13%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Sonoma State University were Business and Financial Operations with 167 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 131 employees, and Service with 85 employees.

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