All schools
PublicSuburban

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, California 94928-3609

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanGreek life

Strong graduate outcomes — known for business

Sonoma State University is a public institution in Rohnert Park with particular strength in business and psychology.

A mid-sized campus of 5.4K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

61% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $65,986 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $13,801.

Established
1960
Motto
Lux Mentis, Lux Orbis
Mascot
Lobo the Seawolf
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

95%Acceptance
SAT Avg
5,374Students
15:1Student:Faculty
61%Grad Rate
$65,986Earnings 10yr
$13,801Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate94.7%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,190
Tuition (out-of-state)$20,070
Room & Board$15,770
Books & Supplies$822
Total Cost of Attendance$24,739
Average Net Price$13,801
Median Debt at Graduation$16,705
Monthly Payment (10yr)$177

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,406
$30–48K$11,158
$48–75K$12,751
$75–110K$16,423
$110K+$22,141

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

73.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$13,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

38

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

9

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

11

Drug Arrests

8

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (56)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

75%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
5,374
Gender Split
61% / 39%
Women / Men
First Generation
41%
Pell Grant Recipients
36%

Race & Ethnicity

White 40%
Black 3%
Hispanic 42%
Asian 5%
Two+ 6%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate60.5%
Freshman Retention75.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$52,179
10 Years$65,986

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#23
vs 2024
Forbes
#168
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#80
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

BasketballSoccerGolfTennisWater polo

History & Fun Facts

  • Sonoma opened for the first time in 1961, with an initial enrollment of 274 students.
  • Classes offered took place in leased buildings in Rohnert Park, where the college offered its first four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education.
  • The small first graduating class received their degrees in the parking lot of the temporary campus.
  • One of the ponds behind the Commons In 1969, the first master's degrees in biology and psychology were offered.
  • The first facility built under the new plan was the Zinfandel residence area.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

146Very High

Estimated from CA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

San Franciscopop. 870K
42 mi(73 min)
Los Angelespop. 3.9M
386 mi(669 min)
Portlandpop. 650K
496 mi(860 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SFO San Francisco52 mi
SMF Sacramento64 mi
SJC San Jose79 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2690 mi · ~77h 43m drive
New York, NY2566 mi · ~74h 8m drive
Hartford, CT2618 mi · ~75h 38m drive
Providence, RI2680 mi · ~77h 25m drive
Albany, NY2552 mi · ~73h 43m drive
Syracuse, NY2428 mi · ~70h 9m drive
Rochester, NY2354 mi · ~68h drive
Buffalo, NY2292 mi · ~66h 13m drive
Philadelphia, PA2518 mi · ~72h 45m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2262 mi · ~65h 21m drive
Harrisburg, PA2424 mi · ~70h 2m drive
Newark, NJ2557 mi · ~73h 52m drive
Washington, DC2438 mi · ~70h 26m drive
Baltimore, MD2454 mi · ~70h 54m drive
Atlanta, GA2147 mi · ~62h 1m drive
Charlotte, NC2305 mi · ~66h 35m drive
Raleigh, NC2412 mi · ~69h 41m drive
Miami, FL2609 mi · ~75h 22m drive
Orlando, FL2453 mi · ~70h 52m drive
Tampa, FL2414 mi · ~69h 44m drive
Nashville, TN1968 mi · ~56h 51m drive
New Orleans, LA1941 mi · ~56h 4m drive
Richmond, VA2441 mi · ~70h 31m drive
Chicago, IL1855 mi · ~53h 35m drive
Detroit, MI2086 mi · ~60h 16m drive
Minneapolis, MN1576 mi · ~45h 32m drive
St. Louis, MO1747 mi · ~50h 28m drive
Kansas City, MO1510 mi · ~43h 37m drive
Indianapolis, IN1948 mi · ~56h 17m drive
Columbus, OH2111 mi · ~60h 59m drive
Cleveland, OH2162 mi · ~62h 27m drive
Milwaukee, WI1837 mi · ~53h 4m drive
Dallas, TX1499 mi · ~43h 18m drive
Houston, TX1664 mi · ~48h 4m drive
Austin, TX1523 mi · ~44h drive
San Antonio, TX1512 mi · ~43h 41m drive
Los Angeles, CA386 mi · ~11h 9m drive
San Francisco, CA42 mi · ~1h 13m drive
San Diego, CA497 mi · ~14h 21m drive
Seattle, WA640 mi · ~18h 29m drive
Portland, OR496 mi · ~14h 20m drive
Denver, CO953 mi · ~27h 32m drive
Phoenix, AZ682 mi · ~19h 42m drive
Salt Lake City, UT598 mi · ~17h 17m drive
Honolulu, HI2394 mi · ~69h 10m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Sonoma State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications