Sonoma State vs Salem State
Sonoma State University and Salem State University, both public universities with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Sonoma State, nestled in the heart of California's wine country, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, while Salem State, located just north of Boston, offers a more intimate learning environment. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into the differences in their popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Salem State University |
![]() Sonoma State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Salem, Massachusetts | Rohnert Park, California |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 75.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 90.0% | 93.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 6,287 | 10,598 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,659 | 9,934 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 939 | 822 |
Yield rate | 16.6% | 8.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$27,123
Out of state:
$33,928
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In state:
$29,478
Out of state:
$41,358
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Average net price | $18,125 | $7,055 |
Tuition |
In state:
$910
Out of state:
$7,050
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In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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Room & board | $14,590 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,798
Meal plan:
$5,878
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
91.0%
Average amount $7,673 |
68.0%
Average amount $8,547 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
67.0%
Average amount $4,984 |
21.0%
Average amount $4,719 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $12,948 |
0.0%
Average amount $18,070 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,555
Men 34.5% Women 65.5% |
6,587
Men 37.9% Women 62.1% |
Graduate students |
1,576
Men 21.8% Women 78.2% |
784
Men 31.1% Women 68.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 2.6% |
International students | 2.5% | 2.9% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 1,928 | 3,389 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York New Hampshire Connecticut Rhode Island Vermont | California Washington Colorado Arizona Utah |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 56.8% | 59.9% |
Dropout rate | 40.8% | 30.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 8.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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