What Sonoma State costs
Sonoma State University charges $8,624 a year in published tuition and fees for California residents, about $4,312 a semester, and $21,224 a year for students from other states, about $10,612 a semester. With housing, food, books and other costs, the total cost of attendance for in-state students is $24,648 a year. Students who received grants or scholarships paid $14,528 a year on average after that aid (the average net price). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Sonoma State University takes part in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, so students from other western states may pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition. See the full WUE list →
Compare out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities →
Getting into Sonoma State
For fall 2024, Sonoma State University received 11,246 applications and admitted 10,507 students, and 873 enrolled as first-years.
What Sonoma State students study
The most common bachelor's degrees at Sonoma State University (class of 2024, first majors only):
| Major | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 336 |
| Psychology | 229 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences / Liberal Studies | 102 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education / Fitness | 95 |
| Biology / Biological Sciences | 85 |
| Education, Other | 80 |
| Sociology | 70 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 67 |
Source: IPEDS Completions, bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023–24.
Colleges near Sonoma State
Other colleges within about an hour, by straight-line distance:
- University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California: about 39 miles away
- University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California: about 41 miles away
- San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California: about 44 miles away
- Saint Mary's College of California, Moraga, California: about 46 miles away
- University of California, Davis, Davis, California: about 52 miles away
- California State University, East Bay, Hayward, California: about 58 miles away
Colleges like Sonoma State
Smaller public universities with the same campus setting (suburban), closest in size and nearest in region:
- University of Washington–Bothell, Bothell, Washington: 5,457 undergraduates
- California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside, California: 6,819 undergraduates
- California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, California: 8,385 undergraduates
- California State University, San Marcos, San Marcos, California: 14,877 undergraduates
- University of Massachusetts–Dartmouth, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts: 5,221 undergraduates
See more colleges like Sonoma State in the College Filter →
Lists that include Sonoma State
- Colleges in California: 61 Compared
- Smaller Public Universities: 242 Compared
- Smaller Public Universities on the West Coast: 15 Compared
- Division II Colleges: 151 Compared
- Division II Colleges on the West Coast: 21 Compared
- Suburban Colleges: 207 Compared
- Suburban Colleges on the West Coast: 27 Compared
FAQ
What is Sonoma State University's acceptance rate? 93.4% for fall 2024: 10,507 of 11,246 applicants were admitted.
How much is tuition at Sonoma State University? $8,624 a year for in-state students and $21,224 for out-of-state students, in published tuition and fees before aid. You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Is Sonoma State University part of WUE? Yes. It is on WICHE's September 2026 list of Western Undergraduate Exchange colleges. Requirements vary by college, so check with Sonoma State University about how to apply and which programs qualify.
How many students go to Sonoma State University? About 5,200 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is the campus setting at Sonoma State University? The National Center for Education Statistics classifies its location as suburban.
Sources
- College Navigator: Sonoma State University (IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education)
- College Scorecard: Sonoma State University
- Campus photo via Wikimedia Commons
