The Cost of Attendance (COA), also referred to as the student budget, is a standard estimated total of a student’s expenses while attending school.
The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 - 66028.6 of the Education Code).
The Schedule of actual Mandatory Registration Charges is published on the Student Charges/Fees page.
For Informational Purposes Only: In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990, the University provides the typical market cost of a one bedroom apartment in the Rohnert Park area.
1 Bedroom: $1,900 per month (as of January 2024)
The Food and Housing expenses included in the Off Campus Cost of Attendance represent the assumed costs students pay based on the results of a recent state-wide survey. In the survey, students enrolled at Sonoma State University reported lower average costs of $14,322. Actual costs of food and housing will vary. The estimated cost of living off campus assumes a student will have roommates, not live alone in a one bedroom apartment.
If you decide to live on campus at SSU, your actual housing cost will vary from the estimate below, depending on your room assignment. The housing cost below is an average of all first-year accommodations on campus with mandatory meal plan. To find specific room rates, visit Housing Service's website.
The Cost of Attendance for students enrolled less than half-time will not include the Personal, Miscellaneous expenses or Housing and Food listed in the table below. Adjustments to the COA will occur before the first disbursement and after the add/drop of each semester. The removal of the Personal, Miscellaneous and Housing and Food component of the COA may result in a decrease to financial aid. For more information on enrollment, visit the Enrollment page of the Financial Aid website.
The 2024-2025 estimated Cost of Attendance is as follows:
| Cost Item | At Home | On Campus | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory Registration Charges | $8,624* | $8,624* | $8,624* |
| Books, course materials, supplies & equipment | 856 | 856 | 856 |
| Food & Housing | 9,776 | 16,802 | 22,086 |
| Transportation | 1,824 | 916 | 2,018 |
| Personal & Miscellaneous | 2,328 | 1,684 | 2,078 |
| Loan Fees | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Total | $23,478 | $28,952 | $35,732 |
Graduate Mandatory Registration Charges
$10,148* Academic Year
Non-resident Student Additional Tuition Charge
- For non-resident students, add $12,600 to Mandatory Registration Charges, for a total of $21,224 (assuming enrollment in 15 units per semester at $420 per unit).
- For non-resident Western University Exchange (WUE) participants, add $3,042 to the Mandatory Registration Charges for a total of $11,666. (WUE participant receives a discount of $9,558 from the standard non-resident fee, assuming enrollment in 15 units per semester for the year)
Note: All students will see a slightly higher total for their Mandatory Registration Charges for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 due to the optional Student Involvement and Representation Fee.
For more information on charges, visit the Student Charges/Fees page.