Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Sonoma State University at a Glance
Sonoma State University is a public university in Rohnert Park, Sonoma County, California, United States. It is part of the California State University system and has three academic colleges: the College of Education, Counseling and Ethnic Studies; the College of Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts; and the College of Science, Technology and Business. The school offers 62 bachelor's degree programs, 13 master's degree programs, and 24 teaching credentials.
1960
66 years old
$71M
$70.5 million (2023-24)
5,000
4,392 undergrad · 608 grad
450
269 acres
Identity
Is Sonoma State University Worth It?
Sonoma State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $12,885/year, it's priced 37% below average, while graduates go on to earn $65,986 — 23% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: Sonoma State University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Sonoma State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #7 of 90 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | 100 | $12,319 | $78,466 |
| #4 | Michigan Technological University | 94 | $14,182 | $78,198 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #7 | Sonoma State University | 76 | $12,885 | $65,986 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Sonoma State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 4 in CA.
Best Programs at Sonoma State University
The highest-earning program at Sonoma State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $110,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $20,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Sonoma State University earns $110,300, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $20,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $12,500 in median debt vs. $22,812 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,885/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $110,300 | $110,300 | $12,500 |
| Computer Science | $73,200 | $73,200 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,400 | $49,400 | $17,498 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,400 | $35,400 | $17,933 |
| Biology, General | $34,700 | $34,700 | $20,750 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,100 | $34,100 | $19,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,100 | $33,100 | $15,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $32,000 | $32,000 | $20,365 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $32,000 | $32,000 | $19,250 |
| Sociology | $31,300 | $31,300 | $17,948 |
| History | $29,700 | $29,700 | $17,937 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,000 | $29,000 | $15,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $28,800 | $28,800 | $18,750 |
| Psychology, General | $28,300 | $28,300 | $18,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,200 | $27,200 | $19,619 |
| Education, Other | $25,700 | $25,700 | $18,362 |
| Anthropology | $23,800 | $23,800 | $22,940 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,100 | $20,100 | $22,812 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Rohnert Park, CA
- Student Body
- 5,166 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,885
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $65,986
- Median Student Debt
- $16,705