
Sonoma State University is a public university located 45 miles north of San Francisco, California. It was founded in 1960 and gained university status in 1978. Sonoma State offers 46 majors and 49 minors at the undergraduate level, with popular majors including Business, Psychology, and Sociology. The university enrolls about 7,000 students, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,412 as of Fall 2023. Sonoma State has a vibrant campus life with over one hundred chartered student organizations and a strong sense of community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1960 |
| Location | Sonoma County, California, 45 miles north of San Francisco |
| Type | Public |
| Campus size | 269 acres |
| Student population | 7,000-8,000 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,068-5,412 |
| Acceptance rate | 94% |
| Number of majors offered | 46 |
| Number of minors offered | 49 |
| Number of student organizations | Over 100 |
| Number of sports clubs | Over 20 |
| Number of sponsored sports | 11 |
| Number of seminars, workshops, lectures, conferences, exhibits, and other public programs sponsored annually | Hundreds |
| Number of research help questions answered annually | 1,000+ |
| Number of presidents | 8 |
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Sonoma State University has around 7,000 students
Sonoma State University is a public university located 45 miles north of San Francisco, in the rolling hills of northern California. It is a small to mid-sized university, with around 7,000 students enrolled. The university was founded in 1960, and in 1978 Sonoma State College became Sonoma State University. The campus size is 269 acres, and the university offers a balanced program of liberal arts and sciences, as well as career preparation with selected professional programs.
The university has a diverse community, with more than a third of undergraduates identifying as Hispanic or Latinx. Sonoma State offers 46 majors and 49 minors at the undergraduate level, with popular majors including Business, Psychology, and Sociology. The university also offers a range of graduate programs, with Business Administration, Education, and Student Counseling and Personnel Services being the most popular.
Sonoma State University has a strong focus on athletics and extracurricular activities, with 11 sponsored sports and over one hundred chartered student organizations, including fraternities and sororities. The university also offers a summer youth enrichment program and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute for older adults. The campus features unique landscaping, including two small reservoirs known as the "Campus Lakes," and the first facility built under the new master plan was the Zinfandel residence area.
The university's library plays a key role in supporting student learning and success, with over 2,500 students taught through the Instruction program and more than 1,000 research questions answered annually. The library also lends technologies and tools to support hands-on learning in the Makerspace and Special Collections. Sonoma State University provides a vibrant and engaging campus life, with a strong sense of community and a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship.
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5,412 undergraduate students enrolled in Fall 2023
Sonoma State University, a public university located 45 miles north of San Francisco, had 5,412 undergraduate students enrolled in Fall 2023. The university was founded in 1960 and gained university status in 1978. It offers a wide range of academic programs and extracurricular activities, with over 100 chartered student organizations and over 20 sports clubs. The university has a diverse community, with more than a third of undergraduates identifying as Hispanic or Latinx.
The campus spans 269 acres and features the ""Campus Lakes," which are home to local waterfowl. Sonoma State's housing options include suite-style, apartment-style, and townhome-style accommodations. The university's first master's degrees were offered in biology and psychology in 1969. Today, Sonoma State offers 46 majors and 49 minors at the undergraduate level, with popular choices including business, psychology, and sociology.
The university's acceptance rate is 94%, and it provides a world-class education with a focus on student success. Sonoma State's instructional programs challenge students to acquire knowledge and develop critical analysis, careful reasoning, creativity, and self-expression skills. The university library, housed in the Jean and Charles Schulz Information Center, plays a crucial role in supporting student learning and success. The library offers hands-on learning in its Makerspace and Special Collections and provides access to technologies and tools that students need for their academic pursuits.
Sonoma State University is committed to extending its educational resources to the community and international students. It offers summer and winter intersessions, professional development courses, and degree programs designed for working adults. The Sonoma State American Language Institute helps international students acquire the English language skills necessary for business or academics. The university also sponsors seminars, workshops, lectures, and cultural performances, fostering a vibrant and engaging campus life.
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5,068 undergraduate students in total
Sonoma State University is a public university located 45 miles north of San Francisco. It is a small to mid-sized institution with an enrollment of 5,068 undergraduate students and approximately 8,000 students in total. The university has a 94% acceptance rate and offers 46 majors and 49 minors at the undergraduate level. Popular majors include Business, Psychology, and Sociology, with Business Administration (Management and Operations) being the most popular major in 2018, attracting 18.43% of undergraduates.
The university has a diverse community with more than a third of undergraduates identifying as Hispanic or Latinx. It offers a unique and intimate educational experience, with a smaller campus size that fosters a strong sense of community. The campus features spacious living accommodations, including suite-style, apartment-style, and townhome-style housing options. The university also has a world-class library, housed in the Jean and Charles Schulz Information Centre, which supports student learning and success.
Sonoma State University has numerous student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, and over twenty sports clubs. The Associated Students (AS) is a student organization with an AS Senate that serves as the student government and board of directors. The university also offers engaging academic programs and a lively campus life, with various events, clubs, and social gatherings.
The quality of education at Sonoma State University is derived from the collaborative work between students and faculty, with instructional programs designed to challenge students and develop their critical analysis and reasoning skills. The university is committed to student success and provides a balanced program of liberal arts, sciences, and career preparation.
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The university has faced declining enrollment
Sonoma State University, a public university located 45 miles north of San Francisco, has faced declining enrollment in recent years. The university enrolls about 7,000 students, although some sources place the figure at around 8,000. It is considered a small to mid-sized institution.
In 2023, Sonoma State University had a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,412. This represents a slight decrease from the figure of 5,068 undergraduate students reported in another source. The university's acceptance rate is 94%, and it offers a range of popular majors, including business, psychology, and sociology.
The declining enrollment at Sonoma State University has contributed to financial challenges for the institution. In early 2025, university leaders announced a $24 million deficit due to declining enrollment and increasing costs. To address this deficit, the university planned to eliminate several positions and academic programs.
The university's financial challenges have also impacted its athletics programs. A group called "Save Seawolves Athletics" has protested the elimination of athletics at Sonoma State University and filed a formal civil rights complaint over the decision. The university's athletics programs have a long history, dating back to 1964 when the school's first men's basketball team was formed.
Despite the declining enrollment and financial challenges, Sonoma State University remains a vibrant and diverse campus with a strong sense of community. The university offers a unique and intimate educational experience, with a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship. It is located in the world-renowned wine country of Sonoma County, providing a scenic and culturally rich setting for its students.
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Sonoma State is a mid-size institution
Sonoma State University is a public university located in California, about 45 miles north of San Francisco. It was founded in 1960 and became a university in 1978. The campus size is 269 acres, and it offers a variety of engaging academic programs and a lively campus life. The university has a diverse community, fostering a strong sense of community and ensuring that students from different backgrounds and cultures feel welcomed and inspired.
Sonoma State is considered a mid-size institution, with an approximate enrollment of 5,000 to 8,000 undergraduate students. The university offers 46 majors and 49 minors at the undergraduate level, with popular majors including business, psychology, biology, nursing, and kinesiology. Sonoma State also has a notable wine business program, with the Wine Business Institute being one of the only such programs in the country.
The university has a high acceptance rate of 94%, and its students have a graduation rate of 60%. Sonoma State alumni earn a starting salary of $37,900 on average. The university provides a balanced program of liberal arts and sciences, along with career preparation in selected professional programs. Instructional programs are designed to challenge students not only to acquire knowledge but also to develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
Sonoma State University has a rich history, with early development concluding in 1976 when the Student Union was constructed. The campus features unique landscaping, including "Campus Lakes," which are home to local waterfowl. The university has faced financial challenges in recent years, with declining enrollment and increasing costs leading to a deficit. However, Sonoma State remains committed to student success, offering a world-class education and numerous opportunities for students to thrive.
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Frequently asked questions
Sonoma State University has around 7,000 students enrolled, with some sources citing a figure of 8,000. The number of undergraduate students is reported to be between 5,000 and 5,412.
There are between 5,000 and 5,412 undergraduate students enrolled at Sonoma State University.
Sonoma State University has an acceptance rate of 94%.











































