Sonoma State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Rohnert Park, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Sonoma State University is a public university in Rohnert Park, California that admits about 93% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $12,885 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Sociology, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.5 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Sonoma State University is a public institution located in Rohnert Park, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, Sonoma State University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 93%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,885 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Sonoma State University?
Sonoma State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores Sonoma State University typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
How much does Sonoma State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $8,624 for in-state students and $21,224 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,802 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $12,885 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 36% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $12,885 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Sonoma State University
Most popular majors at Sonoma State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Sonoma State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Sociology. Across all programs, Sonoma State University confers roughly 1,348 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $80,187 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 421 | $80,187 |
| Psychology, General | 213 | $54,617 |
| Sociology | 142 | $62,652 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 137 | $58,913 |
| Education, Other | 130 | $53,496 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 116 | $61,799 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 103 | $61,775 |
| Biology, General | 86 | $73,611 |
Is Sonoma State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Sonoma State University disclosed 13 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.5 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 7 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- California State University-East Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Bernardino94% acceptance
- California State University-Dominguez Hills93% acceptance
- California State University-Stanislaus98% acceptance
- California State University-Bakersfield94% acceptance
- California State University-Monterey Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Marcos95% acceptance
- California State University-Channel Islands95% acceptance
Next steps for Sonoma State University
Common questions parents ask about Sonoma State University
What GPA do I need for Sonoma State University?
Sonoma State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Sonoma State University typically admit?
Sonoma State University does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does Sonoma State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Sonoma State University after grants and scholarships is $12,885 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $8,624 and $21,224 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Sonoma State University realistic for my child?
Sonoma State University admits 93% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $12,885 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Sonoma State University?
Sonoma State University accepts about 93% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Sonoma State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Sonoma State University is a public institution located in Rohnert Park, California.
What are the most popular majors at Sonoma State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Sonoma State University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Sociology. The school awards about 1,348 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Sonoma State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Sonoma State University reported 13 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.5 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Sonoma State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers