Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Sonoma State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 25% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 66th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Sonoma State University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $125,646 | $143,886 | +62% | #5 of 966 | #6 | $12,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $78,247 | $112,757 | +12% | #25 of 258 | #106 | — |
| Computer Science | $66,481 | $106,181 | -1% | #132 of 349 | #208 | $20,110 |
| Economics | $53,825 | $83,668 | +1% | #148 of 368 | #207 | $19,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,001 | $75,887 | +11% | #215 of 1176 | #452 | $16,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $40,759 | $69,077 | +26% | #21 of 265 | #37 | $15,125 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,952 | $68,833 | +22% | #61 of 660 | #105 | $17,877 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,022 | $67,351 | +23% | #49 of 610 | #125 | $20,174 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,444 | $66,892 | +21% | #51 of 660 | #136 | $20,000 |
| Music | — | $65,533 | +53% | #1 of 268 | #8 | — |
| Political Science and Government | $43,547 | $65,009 | +3% | #200 of 565 | #328 | $15,000 |
| Mathematics | $38,699 | $64,913 | -7% | #212 of 309 | #253 | $17,924 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $35,263 | $64,116 | +24% | #7 of 103 | #11 | $19,187 |
| Anthropology | $31,744 | $62,674 | +34% | #9 of 188 | #17 | $17,614 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $39,758 | $59,444 | +12% | #100 of 476 | #218 | $16,862 |
| English Language and Literature | $31,282 | $59,418 | +22% | #60 of 576 | #106 | $19,375 |
| Psychology | $33,006 | $57,335 | +13% | #156 of 1027 | #389 | $16,351 |
| History | $31,992 | $56,819 | +12% | #102 of 459 | #206 | $13,500 |
| Sociology | $37,896 | $56,581 | +7% | #137 of 462 | #245 | $17,000 |
| Biology | $34,074 | $56,345 | -2% | #479 of 841 | #682 | $19,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $36,237 | $53,489 | -3% | #152 of 225 | #187 | $17,250 |
| Education | $31,095 | $52,842 | +8% | #8 of 27 | #15 | $17,128 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $33,906 | $52,672 | +8% | #41 of 172 | #98 | $18,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $29,035 | $46,022 | +11% | #101 of 423 | #202 | $19,200 |
| Geography and Cartography | $40,614 | — | — | — | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Sonoma State University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $712,700
- Avg rent near campus: $2,591/mo — vs ~$969/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 95407 (3.3% cap, Santa Rosa)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
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🏆 Where Sonoma State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Room | $8,718 | |
| Board | $6,405 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $27,274 | $39,154 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,406 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,158 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,751 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,423 |
| $110,001+ | $22,141 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Sonoma State University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Sonoma State University?
How much does it cost to attend Sonoma State University?
What is the graduation rate at Sonoma State University?
Is Sonoma State University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Sonoma State University?
Is there rental demand near Sonoma State University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Sonoma State University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Sonoma State University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology