At $13,801/yr net price, Sonoma State University graduates earn $65,986/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $31,986/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,801 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $55,204 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $65,986/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$31,986/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,705 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,406/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,158/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,751/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,423/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,141/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $135,372 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $115,339 | $41,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $110,432 | $12,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $83,768 | $36,736 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $77,715 | $20,110 |
| Education, General. | Master | $59,576 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $55,512 | $19,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $54,713 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $54,320 | $16,500 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $51,750 | $32,570 |
The Risk Factor
60.5% of students at Sonoma State University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Sonoma State gives you a solid, low-risk financial return. Median debt sits at $16,705 against median earnings just under $66,000 a decade out, so you graduate owing roughly a quarter of a single year's pay. That ratio is healthy, and the 60.5% graduation rate means most students who enroll actually finish and reach those outcomes.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner: graduates earn over $110,000 while carrying only $12,500 in debt, the best pay-to-debt combination on campus by a wide margin. Computer science pays around $77,700 but comes with the highest debt of any top program at $20,110. Economics, electrical engineering, and business administration all cluster in the mid-$50,000s. Those three land below the school-wide median earnings, so a business or economics degree here pays off modestly at best, and the debt on economics ($19,000) buys you less earning power than nursing debt does.
The main risk is finishing. One in four students doesn't return after the first year, and if you leave with loans and no degree, none of these salary figures apply to you. The North Bay's high cost of living also stretches a $55,000 salary further in nursing than in a lower-paying field.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $9,400 a year. over $110,000, that jumps to $22,141. The gap between the top two tiers is wide, so upper-middle-income families feel the cost most.
This is a good fit if you're aiming for nursing or computer science and want manageable debt. If you're set on business or economics and paying the top net price, run the numbers carefully, since the return there is thinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonoma State University worth the cost?
Sonoma State offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $13,801 and median debt of only $16,705. However, the 10-year earnings of $65,986 are below average for college graduates, and the 60% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at Sonoma State University?
Nursing programs dominate the highest earnings at Sonoma State, with graduates earning $110,000-$135,000 annually. Business administration ($83,768) and computer science ($77,715) also offer solid returns, while other majors typically earn much less.
How much debt do Sonoma State University graduates have?
Sonoma State graduates have a median debt of $16,705, which is lower than the national average. The relatively affordable net price of $13,801 per year helps keep borrowing manageable for most students.
Does Sonoma State University have good job outcomes?
Job outcomes vary significantly by major at Sonoma State, with nursing graduates earning six-figure salaries while other programs show more modest returns. The 94% acceptance rate and 60% graduation rate suggest the school admits many students but struggles to get them across the finish line.