Azusa Pacific University vs. California State University-Northridge

Comparable Facts

Compare Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA with California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Northridge is larger than Azusa Pacific University based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 6,272 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Azusa Pacific University is located in Azusa, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University Northridge is in Northridge, CA (Large City setting).
• Azusa Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Azusa Pacific University 9:1; California State University Northridge 25:1.

Azusa Pacific University vs. California State University-Northridge Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Azusa Pacific University or California State University-Northridge? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Northridge than Azusa Pacific University ($7,536 vs. $26,143).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Azusa Pacific University are 22.5% lower than at California State University Northridge ($10,704 vs. $13,804).
• Azusa Pacific University is 496.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $37,000 more per year; $44,458.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.6% higher at Azusa Pacific University than at California State University Northridge (about $24,400 more per year; $44,458.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Azusa Pacific University than at California State University Northridge (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Azusa Pacific University students is 137.8% larger than aid received by California State University Northridge students ($30,504 vs. $12,825).

Azusa Pacific University vs. California State University-Northridge Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Azusa Pacific University or California State University-Northridge? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-Northridge and Azusa Pacific University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Azusa Pacific University (1110) is 100 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming Azusa Pacific University students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Azusa Pacific University 983/1238; California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Azusa Pacific University 25/30; California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Azusa Pacific University - Test optional; California State University-Northridge - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Azusa Pacific University Jun 1, 2027; California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Azusa Pacific University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at California State University-Northridge (3.38).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Azusa Pacific University (88.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at Azusa Pacific University vs. 18% at California State University-Northridge.

Azusa Pacific University vs. California State University-Northridge Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Azusa Pacific University and California State University-Northridge? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Azusa Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than California State University Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from Azusa Pacific University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $8,304 lower median loan debt than Azusa Pacific University graduates ($14,196 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Azusa Pacific University graduates ($146 vs. $232).
• More Azusa Pacific University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.