Academic Comparison between California Lutheran and Sonoma State

California Lutheran University and Sonoma State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. California Lutheran is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Thousand Oaks, CA and Sonoma State is a four-year, public school located in Rohnert Park, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • California Lutheran is a private (not-for-profit) and Sonoma State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Lutheran has more expensive tuition & fees ($52,560) than Sonoma State ($21,224).
  • It is harder to admit to California Lutheran than Sonoma State.
  • Sonoma State has more students with 5,891 students while California Lutheran has 3,351 students.
  • California Lutheran has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Sonoma State's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • Sonoma State has more full-time faculties with 227 faculties while California Lutheran has 182 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
California Lutheran Sonoma State
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Lutheran Universityvs.Sonoma State University
Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaLocationRohnert Park, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$52,5602025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$8,624
Out-Of-State$21,224
97%% Receiving Financial Aid67%
$31,632Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,379
75.67 %Acceptance Rates93.43 %
11.05 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)8.31 %
1,270SAT Score-
26ACT Score-
70 %Graduation Rate58 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate7 %
79 %Retention Rate79 %
3,351Student Population5,891
182Number of Faculties227
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare