Overview
Sonoma State University is a public school in California’s wine country and one of the smallest campuses in the California State University system. Sonoma State grants bachelor’s degrees in 46 academic programs including the only Wine Business programs in the United States. In addition to classroom facilities, SSU oversees the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve, a 4,000-acre wilderness where students study environmental sustainability. For sports fans, Sonoma State fields 14 varsity sports teams known as the Seawolves.
Acceptance Rate:
94%
Average Net Price:
$17,239
Campus Setting:
Suburb or town
Average GPA
3.4
Average ACT Composite
20
Average SAT Composite
1065
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $8,190 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $20,070 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $15,770 |
| Books and Supplies | $822 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
61%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
34%
Average Aid Per Year
$7,287
34%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,176
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$3,954
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
49%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$2704
34%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,176
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$27,238,972
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$4,475,841
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
29%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,350
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,000
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$171
Students receiving federal loans
28%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,999
Average Other Loans Per Year
$13,840
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Aware
This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
10806
Students Applied
59%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
882
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Regular Decision | November 30 | |
| Spring Regular Decision | August 31 | |
| Other | June 30 |
Rolling Admissions
The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.
Application Fee
$55
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
28%
Submitting ACT
90%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 20
Average SAT Composite: 1065
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.4
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
6,637
Total Number of Undergrads
5,934
0
100
35%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
60%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
18:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- ROTC Army
- ROTC Air Force
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
52
Faculty Overview
0
100
63%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Suburb or town
US States Represented
29
Countries Represented
18
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
41%
Student Organizations
198
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
22%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
32%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Seawolves
School Colors
navy Columbia and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Total Male Athletes
115
Total Female Athletes
176
Intramural Sports
5
Sports Club
11
Sports Team (Men)
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
Sonoma State University Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$53,200
Top 5 Cities
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Sacramento
San Diego
Orange
Top 5 Employers
Sonoma State University
Kaiser Permanente
Santa Rosa Junior College
Wells Fargo
Keysight Technologies
Top 5 Sectors
Business Development
Education
Operations
Sales
Community & Social Services
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,000
Loan Default Rate
5%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$171
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingI am planning to major in Criminal Justice and minor in psychology and they have really good programs for both of them. The classes are small (about only 20-30) with some classes as big as 80. I like that the classes are small enough for me to get personal attention from the professers and I won't feel overwhelmed.
Cassie From San Francisco, CA
The best part of Sonoma by far is the teaching staff. All of the professors are informative and accommodating; they are more than willing to meet with you outside class if you are having any sort of problems with the subject material. My largest class was an intro to psychology, and it was 80 students. All other classes have been 20-30, which really helps you form a bond with the professor.
Nicholas from Concord, CA
As a music education major, I am taking six music classes my first semester. The teachers seemed to want me to get into the classes I need and sat down with my for over an hour, one-on-one, to help me get the education I need. I'm in 3 general education class. I have no problem getting classes and the teachers care about my education. They are very helpful at office hours. While they make learning easy, you have to do your fair share too.
Elizabeth from Vacaville, CA
Beautiful campus, amazing dorms, comfortable weather but kind of pricey.
I love it.
I love it.
I love it.
I love it.
I love it.
J from Glendale, CA
Beautiful campus, diversity, perfect class sizes!
Maribel from Sonoma, CA
Beautiful campus that is the perfect size - not too big and not too small. One of the things I love the most about SSU is seeing people I know whenever I'm walking to and from class or am just out and about, Many opportunities to get involved - there is something for everyone.
K.D.
Sonoma State has a beautiful campus, excellent teachers, and an amazing environment for everyone to fit in. Just being on campus gives you a sense of pride and the students here are genuinely happy to be a Seawolf.
Zoey from San Francisco, CA
Where many California State universities are large commuter school, Sonoma State provides a more intimate setting. Class sizes are small to average which allows for better teacher-student interaction and there are plenty of clubs and activities to join. Professors and faculty have been a great help in my academic success and they are always willing to sit and discuss any issues a students might have.
Andrea from Folsom, CA
Sonoma State University is a great college for anyone looking for a close community and a liberal arts education. SSU is a fairly new campus, therefore the facilities are exceptional, such as the new Recreation Center and the currently under construction Student Union. Though small, the people on campus are very friendly and there are many opportunities to get involved socially, academically, and professionally.
MMS, California
Similar Colleges
Seaside, CA
San Luis Obispo, CA
Chico, CA
Long Beach, CA
Sacramento, CA
Davis, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Arcata, CA
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
San Jose, CA
