Sonoma State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Sonoma State University was $5,742 a year for in-state students and $19,940 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If these numbers seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college feel more doable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 19,940 per year for tuition at Sonoma State University.

Sonoma State University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Sonoma State University is a public, state institution, so 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 19,940 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to check your state's eligibility criteria for as an in-state resident. 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 additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Is Sonoma State University's Tuition Different for International Students?

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 $19,940 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or Sonoma State University-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible 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 Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance 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 costs $14,926 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs can depend on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Sonoma State University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city is often pricey, but there may be more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Sonoma State University campus is located in a small town setting in California, near San Francisco.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Financial Breakdown for Sonoma State University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, 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.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$5,742
Out-of-State Tuition	$19,940
Room and Board	$14,926
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 2022, 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 2022, 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.

Sonoma State University Net Cost

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 2022. 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	$3,968
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-1,979
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$29,249

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 make more informed decisions about 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.

Does Sonoma State University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition 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.

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Learn More About Sonoma State University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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