Academic Comparison between Whittier and Sonoma State

Whittier College and Sonoma State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Whittier is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Whittier, 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.

  • Whittier is a private (not-for-profit) and Sonoma State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Whittier has more expensive tuition & fees ($51,350) than Sonoma State ($21,224).
  • It is harder to admit to Whittier than Sonoma State.
  • Sonoma State has more students with 5,891 students while Whittier has 795 students.
  • Whittier has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while Sonoma State's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • Sonoma State has more full-time faculties with 227 faculties while Whittier has 96 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Whittier Sonoma State
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Whittier Collegevs.Sonoma State University
Whittier, CaliforniaLocationRohnert Park, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$51,3502025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$8,624
Out-Of-State$21,224
93%% Receiving Financial Aid67%
$32,501Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,379
80.79 %Acceptance Rates93.43 %
5.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)8.31 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
60 %Graduation Rate58 %
24 %Transfer-out Rate7 %
66 %Retention Rate79 %
795Student Population5,891
96Number of Faculties227
8 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, 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