Quad
Salem State
Sonoma State

Key differences on Students & campus

  1. 1

    Sonoma State is a bit larger (5,166 vs. 4,291)

    Undergrads
  2. 2

    Sonoma State has 1 pts more first-gen students than Salem State (41% vs. 40%)

    First-generation students
  3. 3

    Sonoma State has 1 pts more Pell recipients than Salem State (36% vs. 35%)

    Pell Grant recipients

Students

Students & campus

Who's on each campus, how many get Pell Grants or are the first in their family, and campus life.

Who's on campus

Undergrads
Salem State4.3K
Sonoma State5.2K
Pell Grant share
Salem State35%
Sonoma State36%
First-gen share
Salem State40%
Sonoma State41%
Diversity index
Salem State0.65
Sonoma State0.65

Who they are

Men
Salem State36%
Sonoma State40%
Part-time students
Salem State13%
Sonoma State12%
Students 25 and older
Salem State13%
Sonoma State16%

Race & ethnicity

Salem State
Sonoma State
  • White
  • Asian
  • Hispanic/Latino
  • Black
  • Two or more
  • International
  • Other/unknown

Where they're from

First-years from in state
Salem State86%
Sonoma State98%
First-years from other states
Salem State11%
Sonoma State2%
First-years from abroad
Salem State3%
Sonoma State0%
New transfer students this fall
Salem State395
Sonoma State799
Transfers, share of new undergraduates
Salem State32%
Sonoma State48%

Campus

Salem State
Large suburbNCAA D-III · Massachusetts State College Athletic AssociationROTCStudy abroad
Sonoma State
Large suburbROTCStudy abroadUndergrad research

LGBTQ+ policies

Each item is dated: either the college's own page, checked on that date, or a national list's claim, read on that date — never a plain “yes” or “no.” A key missing for a college isn't shown as “no”: nothing was found for it.

PolicySalem StateSonoma State
Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expressionNondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive housingGender-inclusive housing: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)Gender-inclusive housing: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Chosen name and pronouns on campus records–Chosen name and pronouns on campus records: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive restrooms listed onlineGender-inclusive restrooms listed online: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)

All student numbers in the table

Sources:College Scorecard, Fall 2024;College Scorecard, most recent release;College Scorecard, Fall 2023;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part C, residence of first-time students), Fall 2024;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part A, enrollment by level), Fall 2024;IPEDS directory (Institutional Characteristics: HD), 2025–26;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)

Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why