California State University Northridge

4/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Northridge, CA
5.0 1 review

#25 Best Public Universities in California

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

38,313

Location Northridge, California
Website csun.edu
Type Public 4 Year
Setting Large City

Size Large
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) occupies a 356-acre campus in the San Fernando Valley, approximately 25 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Founded in 1958 as San Fernando Valley State College, CSUN is part of the California State University system and features a mix of modern and brutalist architecture, with significant rebuilding occurring after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The university is recognized for its programs in business, cinema and television arts, engineering, and education, with the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics serving as one of its flagship schools. CSUN primarily serves commuter students, though campus housing accommodates a portion of the student population in several residential complexes. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Matadors, participating in the Big West Conference.

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Ratings

California State University-Northridge is rated within the lower 33% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

Overall Rating

4 out of 10
Academics

2 out of 10
Resources

3 out of 10
Outcomes

6 out of 10
Value

6 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for California State University Northridge within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

GPA 3.38

Acceptance Rate

93.4%

Applications Due Nov 30, 2026
Enrollment Rate 18%
Application Fee $70

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

California Resident Tuition

$7,458

Out of State Resident Tuition

$20,058

Breakdown

Tuition $7,458
Books and Supplies $1,338
Other Fees $1,374
Room and Board $13,804
Budget for Other Expenses $3,390
Total One Year Cost $27,364

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$47,500 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

46% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at California State University Northridge are Business, Social Sciences, and Psychology. 21% of students major in Business, 11% in Social Sciences, and 10% in Psychology.