Understanding Tuition and Fees at Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University (SSU), established in 1960, is a public institution located in a suburban setting on a 269-acre campus. With a student-faculty ratio of 17:1 and a semester-based academic calendar, SSU offers a variety of programs to its undergraduate population. Understanding the costs associated with attending SSU is crucial for prospective students and their families. This article breaks down the various components of tuition, fees, financial aid options, and other expenses to provide a comprehensive overview of the financial aspects of attending Sonoma State University.
Tuition and Mandatory Fees
The sticker price, encompassing tuition and fees, is a primary factor in determining the cost of education. For California residents, in-state tuition at Sonoma State University is $9,062. For non-residents, the undergraduate tuition is significantly higher, at $24,994.
These figures include both tuition and fees. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources, and campus health centers.
Mandatory Registration Charges
The Schedule of current Mandatory Registration Charges is published on the Student Charges/Fees page.A more detailed breakdown of undergraduate student charges and fees per semester is as follows:
| Type of Charges | 1-6 Units/Semester | 7+ Units/Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $1,764 | $3,042 |
| Campus-based Fees | $1,270 | $1,270 |
| Undergraduate (TOTAL) | $3,034 | $4,312 |
Post-baccalaureate student charges and fees per semester are:
Read also: Sonoma State Athletics: A Retrospective
| Type of Charges | 1-6 Units/Semester | 7+ Units/Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $2,208 | $3,804 |
| Campus-based Fees | $1,270 | $1,270 |
| Post-baccalaureate (TOTAL) | $3,478 | $5,074 |
Credential student charges and fees per semester are:
| Type of Charges | 1-6 Units/Semester | 7+ Units/Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | $2,049 | $3,531 |
| Campus-based Fees | $1,270 | $1,270 |
| Credential (TOTAL) | $3,319 | $4,801 |
WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange) student charges and fees per semester are:
| Type of Charges | 1-6 Units/Semester | 7+ Units/Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | N/A | $4,563 |
| Campus-based Fees | N/A | $1,270 |
| WUE (TOTAL) | $5,833 |
WUE students are required to maintain enrollment in 12 units or more each semester in order to be eligible for the WUE program.
Campus-Based Fees
Campus-based fees are a component of the overall cost and support various student services and activities. The breakdown is as follows:
| Campus-based Fees | 1-6 Units/Semester | 7+ Units/Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Associated Students Fee | $152 | $152 |
| Consolidated Service Fee | $24 | $24 |
| Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Fee | $73 | $73 |
| Health Facilities Fee | $24 | $24 |
| Instructionally Related Activities Fee | $310 | $310 |
| Student Health Fee | $183 | $183 |
| Student Union Fee | $504 | $504 |
| Total Campus-based Fees | $1,270 | $1,270 |
It's important to note that CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged, or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory system-wide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes to mandatory system-wide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028-66028.6 of the Education Code).
Read also: SSU Employment Opportunities
Additional Fees
Several other fees may apply depending on the program and services used:
- Graduate Business Professional Fee: A fee of $285 per unit is applied to required courses in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.
- Student Involvement and Representation Fee (SIRF): An optional $2 per term fee that supports the California State Student Association (CSSA). Students can opt-out of this fee by the census date each term.
Specific Course Fees
Payable when service is rendered. Students have the option of obtaining materials or services for specific courses from sources other than the university, so long as they meet the instructional requirements. The following are fees specific to the course you will be taking.
| List of course fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| ARTS 103 | 20 |
| ARTS 104 | 20 |
| ARTS 204 | 35 |
| ARTS 210, 310 | 92 |
| ARTS 212, 312 | 67 |
| ARTS 220, 320, 420 | 10 |
| ARTS 229, 329, 429 | 61 |
| ARTS 230, 330, 430 | 61 |
| ARTS 236, 336, 436 | 50 |
| ARTS 245 | 54 |
| ARTS 298, 498 | 25 |
| ARTS 304, 404 | 35 |
| ARTS 305 | 92 |
| ARTS 335, 435 | 68 |
| ARTS 340, 440 | 54 |
| ARTS 342, 442 | 85 |
| ARTS 382, 482 | 54 |
| ARTS 432 | 61 |
| ARTS 457 | 67 |
| ARTS 458 | 67 |
| ARTS 496 (Field Trip) | cost |
| BIOL 110 | 5 |
| BIOL 130 | 15 |
| BIOL 131 | 15 |
| BIOL 220 | 120 |
| BIOL 224 | 10 |
| BIOL 240 | 25 |
| BIOL 322 | 55 |
| BIOL 323 | 70 |
| BIOL 325 | 15 |
| BIOL 327 | 140 |
| BIOL 328 | 45 |
| BIOL 329 | 10 |
| BIOL 330 | 15 |
| BIOL 333 | 30 |
| BIOL 335 | 65 |
| BIOL 338 | 15 |
| BIOL 340 | 25 |
| BIOL 342 | 40 |
| BIOL 344 | 30 |
| BIOL 347 | 20 |
| BIOL 349 | 15 |
| BIOL 383 | 25 |
| BIOL 472 | 25 |
| BIOL 480 | 30 |
| CHEM 102 | 25 |
| CHEM 105 | 25 |
| CHEM 115 A/B | 25 |
| CHEM 125 A/B | 25 |
| CHEM 232 | 25 |
| CHEM 255 | 25 |
| CHEM 316 | 60 |
| CHEM 336 | 60 |
| CHEM 401 | 60 |
| CHEM 402 | 60 |
| CHEM 441 | 60 |
| COUN 511F | 45 |
| GEOG 360 | 10 |
| GEOL 102 | 12 |
| GEOL 304 | 175 |
| GEOL 308 | 195 |
| GEOL 312 | 185 |
| GEOL 314 | 125 |
| GEOL 318 | 175 |
| GEOL 420 | 195 |
| GEP 312 | 225 for 1 unit 320 for 2 units |
| GEP 445 | 15 |
| KIN 242 | 10 |
| LIBS 101/102 | 150 Fall 2024 100 Spring 2025 |
| LIBS 201/202 | 150 Fall 2024 100 Spring 2025 |
| NURS 301 | 160 |
| NURS 303 | 25 |
| NURS 509 | 25 |
| NURS 549 | 25 |
| NURS 550A | 25 |
| NURS 550B | 25 |
| POLS 345 | 500 |
| PSY 431 | 20 |
| SCI 120A | 60 |
| SCI 120B | 50 |
| THAR 300 (Field Trip) | 120 |
Other Miscellaneous Fees
- Library Fees: Overdue fees for reserve materials are $1 an hour (with a $50 maximum fine per item), and overdue fees for media items such as laptops and headphones are also $1 an hour (with a $50 maximum fine per item).
- Community Borrower Card: Fees apply for community borrower cards.
- Deposits: Deposits for locker keys and breakage may be required for some laboratory courses and are refundable in whole or part.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The Cost of Attendance (COA), also referred to as the student budget, is a standard estimated total of a student’s expenses while attending school. Besides tuition and fees, students should also budget for:
- Room and Board: This can vary significantly depending on whether a student lives on-campus or off-campus.
- Books and Supplies: An estimated cost of $822 annually should be budgeted for books and supplies.
- Other Expenses: Additional living expenses, including personal and transportation costs, should also be considered.
Housing Costs
- On-Campus: On campus room and board is provided by the school at a cost of $15,770 per academic year. If living on-campus, students should budget for $2,492 in additional living expenses. It's important to note that the housing cost below is the average of all first-year accommodations on campus with a mandatory meal plan. If you decide to live on campus at SSU, your actual housing cost will vary from the estimate below, depending on your room assignment.
- Off-Campus: For informational purposes only, In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990, the University provides the typical market rate for living off-campus in the Rohnert Park area:
- 1 Bedroom: $1,700 per month
- 2 Bedroom: $2,233 per month
- Room in a 2-bedroom home: $1,117 per month
The Food and Housing expenses included in the Off-Campus Cost of Attendance represent the assumed costs students pay based on the results of a recent statewide survey. In the survey, students enrolled at Sonoma State University reported lower average costs of $14,322. The actual costs of food and housing will vary. The estimated cost of living off campus assumes a student will have roommates, not live alone in a one-bedroom apartment.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Financial aid is a critical resource for many students. In the 2019/2020 school year, 83% of full-time undergraduates at Sonoma State University received financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and fellowships from the institution or from Federal, State, or local government agencies. This aid averaged $8,546 per student.
Read also: Exploring Sonoma State
The average reported annual net price for Sonoma State University for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was $15,113 in 2019/2020.
Types of Financial Aid
Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.
- Grants and Scholarships: These do not need to be paid back. The average Pell Grant awarded for 2019/2020 was $5,271.
- Loans: These must be repaid with interest.
Applying for Financial Aid
To apply for a Pell Grant to attend Sonoma State University, the first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Non-Resident Tuition Fee Waiver
Eligible non-resident domestic and international students in state-funded programs may apply for a waiver for a portion of their Non-Resident Tuition Fees. The number of available units that can be waived per semester is based on the number of requests and available funding. Please note that students need to apply each semester, and there is no guarantee that applicants will be awarded full/partial waivers, even if you've been awarded a waiver previously.
The following categories of students may be eligible for this waiver:
- International students in exchange programs
- Domestic students in exchange programs
- Matriculated degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate non-resident citizens of foreign countries
- Matriculated degree-seeking graduate domestic non-resident students
If you are a student under category 2, 3, or 4, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Provide evidence of financial need
- Be in excellent academic standing: minimum 3.0 GPA and letter of academic recommendation.
- Be enrolled in at least 12 units if you are an undergraduate or 9 units if you are a graduate student.
- Have attended Sonoma State University for at least one semester
How to Apply
- Step 1: Complete/collect all application materials
- Complete the Non-Resident Tuition Fee Waiver Application form. Note that this form must be signed by your Academic Advisor, Major Professor or Department Chair.
- Write a one-page letter to the committee addressing why you are requesting the fee waiver.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a type of funding that you don’t need to pay back. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation.
Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses.
Jobs
Working while in school can help lessen the burden of your student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job.
Average Net Price by Household Income
The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.
Financial Aid Dates
- Application Due: Not available
- Priority Application Due: Not available
- Notification Date: Not available
- Response Due: Not available
Student Loan Debt
How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate.
At Sonoma State University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $16,705. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $177.
Additionally, 1% of graduating students at Sonoma State University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $24,019 in private loan debt at graduation.
Average Total Indebtedness
- Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class: $20,776
- Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024): 36%
- Graduating students who have borrowed (state loans, 2024)
- Graduating students who have borrowed (private loans, 2024)
Student Loan Repayment Example
CollegeSimply has modeled example payment coverage for the annual in-state tuition and living expenses of $27,274. To gauge a more realistic picture of what it really could cost you out of pocket to go to Sonoma State University, we've modeled a ten year student loan with an original principal value of $60,452. The loan balance of $60,452 is a four year multiple of the $15,113 average net price. This is a estimate of what you could owe upon graduation if you were to qualify for average financial aid and what a degree really may cost. Should you not qualify for financial aid, you may owe significantly more when you graduate. Based on these assumptions, a monthly repayment of $687 could be required to pay off your student loan.
It is recommended not to borrow more than you can pay back using 10% of your monthly income earned after graduation. If you're considering attending Sonoma State University, should consider if it will be realistic to make the post graduation loan payments based on your expected salary. a $687.34 monthly payment in the example $60,452.00 loan modeled above. This assumes a repayment over 10 years.
Other Financial Considerations
- Seawolf Bundle: The Seawolf Bundle is a learning material model that provides access to required textbooks and course content for students for a flat fee.
- Determination of Residence: (See the Determination of Residence for Nonresident Tuition Purposes for determination of residence for nonresident tuition purposes.)
- Tuition Guarantee Plans: Tuition at time of first enrollment guaranteed only to students making advance payment.
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