Sonoma State: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially Sonoma State University · Rohnert Park, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #23 in Regional Universities West; Business Programs #390 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #163 (tie), Computer Science #396 (tie), Nursing #336 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by Sonoma State University.
Is Sonoma State a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Sonoma State against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Sonoma State 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 is a public institution located in Rohnert Park, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, Sonoma State 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?
Sonoma State 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.
Compare Sonoma State with the other schools on your list
Open Sonoma State in College Search to set it beside up to three other colleges on cost, admission odds and outcomes, and save it to a shortlist when you are ready.
SAT and ACT scores Sonoma State typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: Sonoma State does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • CSU campus: SAT/ACT are not used in admission. Eligibility uses A-G courses, A-G GPA and the CSU Multi-Factor Admission Score.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Sonoma State's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Sonoma State 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, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 36% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $12,885 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Sonoma State
Most popular majors at Sonoma State
The most popular undergraduate programs at Sonoma State, 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 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 safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Sonoma State 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
Common questions parents ask about Sonoma State
What GPA do I need for Sonoma State?
Sonoma State 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 typically admit?
Sonoma State is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does Sonoma State actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Sonoma State 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 realistic for my child?
Sonoma State 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?
Sonoma State accepts about 93% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Sonoma State test-optional?
Sonoma State is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
Is Sonoma State a public or private school, and where is it located?
Sonoma State is a public institution located in Rohnert Park, California.
What are the most popular majors at Sonoma State?
The largest undergraduate majors at Sonoma State 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 safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Sonoma State 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