Sonoma State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Sonoma State University was $5,742 a year for in-state students and $17,622 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 17,622 per year for tuition at Sonoma State University.

Sonoma State University meets 61% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Sonoma State University full-time are awarded $11,083 a year in financial aid, on average.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $21,050 of debt.

Does Sonoma State University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Sonoma State University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,742 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 17,622 per year for tuition.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to verify your state's requirements for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other California colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Sonoma State University?

Sonoma State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Sonoma State University usually pay around $17,622 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or Sonoma State University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Sonoma State University:

•Sonoma State University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Sonoma State University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Sonoma State University.

House and Food Costs at Sonoma State University

Room and board at Sonoma State University is $16,020 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Sonoma State University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Sonoma State University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

The Cost of Transportation at Sonoma State University

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Sonoma State University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area is often expensive, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Sonoma State University campus is located in a town in California, not far from San Francisco.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Financial Breakdown for Sonoma State University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Sonoma State University.

Total Cost of Sonoma State University

What will the cost of attending Sonoma State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$5,742
Out-of-State Tuition	$17,622
Room and Board	$16,020
Other expenses	$2,104

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Sonoma State University Financial Aid

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In 2023, 3,231 of the 6,587 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Sonoma State University meets 61% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $11,083 a year. Around 46% of Sonoma State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Sonoma State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $21,050 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$18,560
Private Loans	$27,235

Most Common Loans for Sonoma State University Students
Federal Loans	45%
Private loans	5%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Sonoma State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Sonoma State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Sonoma State University awarded 2,838 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $27.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $4.48 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Sonoma State University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Sonoma State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Sonoma State University was $11,083 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Sonoma State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$5,062
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-1,979
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$28,025

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Sonoma State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Sonoma State University's net cost calculator on their website.

Sonoma State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Sonoma State University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Sonoma State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Sonoma State University's endowment was valued at $45.9 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $8,595 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Sonoma State University

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To learn more about Sonoma State University, choose from the options below:

Overview

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