Sonoma State University is a college town: 99 of every 100 residents are students
No college sits inside Sonoma State University’s boundary, but Sonoma State University’s campus in Rohnert Park, with 5,724 students on campus, is 0.2 miles from the center of town, and Santa Rosa Junior College is 8.4 miles away in Santa Rosa. Across California, 8 of every 100 residents are enrolled in college.
From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Sonoma State University. Colleges are described, not graded.
What stands out about college from Sonoma State University
Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.
What it’s like to live in Sonoma State University
How much the colleges shape the town, from the Census Bureau’s survey of residents.
99 of every 100 Sonoma State University residents are in college (CA: 8).
How students change Sonoma State University’s other numbers
Read the town’s other grades with this in mind. How TownRatings handles college towns →
The Cost grade leaves out the share of renters paying 30% or more of income on rent wherever students are a quarter of residents or more (99% here): it would mostly measure student incomes.
CDC’s estimates follow each place’s age mix, and Sonoma State University’s median age is 19.6 (California 37.9), so the adult figures describe a young population.
Crime is counted per resident, and students who live here count as residents. A college with its own police department reports its incidents under that department, not the city.
Colleges within 15 miles of Sonoma State University
Both are public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Sonoma State University.
Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.
What would your family pay?
The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.
Starts at Under $30k; the Census has no median household income for Sonoma State University.
The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.
Do students finish, and does it pay?
Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Sonoma State University: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.
Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.
Questions about college near Sonoma State University
Is Sonoma State University a college town?
Yes. 99 of every 100 Sonoma State University residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), against 8 across California. The nearest campus, Sonoma State University, is 0.2 miles away in Rohnert Park.
What colleges are near Sonoma State University?
Within 15 miles: Sonoma State University (0.2 miles, 5,724 students on campus) and Santa Rosa Junior College (8.4 miles, 11,829).
What is the closest community college to Sonoma State University, and what does it cost?
Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, 8.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,318 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $6,331, counts housing and food at full cost.
Neighbors talk college
Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.
Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Sonoma State University. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →