Strong graduate outcomes with earnings well above peer institutions. Robust earnings growth over time.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Sonoma State graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth throughout their careers, with median income rising from $52,179 six years after enrollment to $61,137 at eight years and $65,986 at ten years. This represents 26.5% growth from the early-career to mid-career period, indicating accelerating compensation as graduates gain experience and advance in their fields.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Strong relative performance — graduates earn notably more than peers at comparable institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $16,705 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
Student debt levels at Sonoma State remain well-controlled compared to peer institutions and national averages. Median debt reaches $16,705, significantly below the peer median of $21,105, representing $4,400 in savings compared to similar universities.
Sonoma State University delivers strong return on investment, ranking at the 80.1st percentile nationally with well above average performance. Graduates earn $15,765 beyond expectations compared to similar students, placing the institution at the 91.7th percentile for value-added earnings.
Approximately 23.9% of Sonoma State graduates continue to graduate or professional study, based on program mix analysis with high confidence levels. ...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Computer Science leads institutional earnings at $129,473, followed by Adult Health Nurse/Nursing at $124,083, demonstrating the institution's strength in high-demand technical and healthcare fields. Applied Economics produces $78,350 while Business Administration generates $69,909 from the largest cohort of 432 graduates.
Mid-range programs like Corrections Administration ($58,007) and Biology ($56,913) provide solid career preparation with favorable value metrics. Even traditionally lower-earning fields like Psychology ($40,691) and Education ($35,866) produce outcomes that align with or exceed national expectations.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings outcomes span a wide range from $42,120 at the 25th percentile to $91,892 at the 75th percentile, creating a 2.2:1 ratio that reflects varied career pathways and program choices. Low-income graduates earn $50,800, demonstrating the institution's mobility potential for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
