As one of the 23 campuses of the California State University (CSU) system, Sonoma State University (SSU) is committed to serving the diverse population of the State of California through high-quality, accessible, and affordable higher education.
Founded in 1960 as Sonoma State College, the college opened in 1961 and was granted university status in 1978. A mid-sized university, Sonoma State is the only four-year public college in California’s North Bay. SSU is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), first approved in February 2017.
Sonoma State moved to its present 269-acre site in 1966. The campus is an hour’s drive north from San Francisco and west to the Pacific Ocean.
Accreditation
Sonoma State University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Many programs are individually accredited by additional boards and associations.
Mission
Sonoma State is a regionally serving public university committed to educational access and excellence. Guided by our core values and driven by a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, Sonoma State delivers high-quality education through innovative programs that leverage the economic, cultural, and natural resources of the North Bay.
Recent Accolades
California State University (CSU) Rankings
- Sonoma State leads the CSU system in graduation rates:
- #3 in two-year graduation rate for transfers
- #3 in four-year graduation rates for transfers
- #3 in four-year graduation rate for first-time first-year students
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#9 in six-year graduation rate for first-time first-year students
Academic Excellence & Recognition
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One of only 26 universities nationwide to receive a 2024 grant from the U.S. Education Department’s Augustus F. Hawkins Center of Excellence Program to increase and retain well-prepared teachers from diverse backgrounds
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2024 Cal State Equity Champion – Recognized for advancing Black student success across the CSU system
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No. 25 – Best Regional Universities (West) – U.S. News & World Report, 2025
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No. 14 – Top Public Schools (West) – U.S. News & World Report, 2025
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No. 36 – Top Performers on Social Mobility – U.S. News & World Report, 2025
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No. 26 – Best Bang for the Buck (West) – Washington Monthly, 2024
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Top 100 for Bachelor's Degrees to Hispanic/Latino Students – Hispanic Outlook, 2022–23
Campus Life & Housing
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No. 1 – Best College Dorms in the CSU – Niche.com, 2025
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No. 4 – Best College Dorms in California – University Magazine, 2024
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No. 34 – Most Beautiful Campuses in the U.S. – TheBestColleges.org
Value & Affordability
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2025 Best Colleges in America – Money.com
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2025 Best Public Colleges – Money.com
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2025 Best Colleges in the West – Money.com
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2025 Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates – Money.com
Social Mobility & Inclusion
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No. 29 – California Mobility Index – College Futures Foundation, 2025