Rohnert Park, CA · Private University
Is Sonoma State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$65,986
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,190
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,070
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$80,280
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.29x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
60.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$16,705
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,801
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Sonoma State University graduates earn $20,986 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Sonoma State University ranked by graduate earnings
57 graduates
90 graduates
38 graduates
17 graduates
416 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Sonoma State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Sonoma State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $129,473) and the lowest (Education, Other: $35,866) is $93,607/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $129,473 | 6.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $124,083 | 6.2x |
| Economics | $78,350 | 3.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering(1yr data) | $78,247 | 3.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $69,909 | 3.5x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,007 | 2.9x |
| Biology, General | $56,913 | 2.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $55,166 | 2.8x |
| Sociology | $54,677 | 2.7x |
| Mathematics | $53,675 | 2.7x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,663 | 2.7x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $52,579 | 2.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $51,845 | 2.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $51,305 | 2.6x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $49,815 | 2.5x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $49,487 | 2.5x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $47,891 | 2.4x |
| History | $46,073 | 2.3x |
| Political Science and Government | $45,674 | 2.3x |
| Psychology, General | $40,691 | 2.0x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $40,614 | 2.0x |
| Anthropology | $40,381 | 2.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $39,800 | 2.0x |
| Education, OtherLowest | $35,866 | 1.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Sonoma State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $65,986 10 years after starting, $20,986 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.6 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.