Biola University vs. California State University-Northridge

Comparable Facts

Compare Biola University in La Mirada, 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 Biola University based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 5,434 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Biola University is located in La Mirada, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University Northridge is in Northridge, CA (Large City setting).
• Biola 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: Biola University 15:1; California State University Northridge 25:1.

Biola University vs. California State University-Northridge Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola 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 Biola University ($7,536 vs. $34,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 4.9% lower than at California State University Northridge ($13,130 vs. $13,804).
• Biola University is 556.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $41,526 more per year; $48,984.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 144.2% higher at Biola University than at California State University Northridge (about $28,926 more per year; $48,984.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Biola University than at California State University Northridge (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 124.7% larger than aid received by California State University Northridge students ($28,817 vs. $12,825).

Biola University vs. California State University-Northridge Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Biola University (1270) is 260 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming Biola University students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 1160/1370; California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 24/29; California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Biola University - Test optional; California State University-Northridge - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Biola University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at California State University-Northridge (3.38).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than Biola University (74.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.7% at Biola University vs. 18% at California State University-Northridge.

Biola University vs. California State University-Northridge Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Biola University and California State University-Northridge? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Biola University's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than California State University Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from Biola University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $10,304 lower median loan debt than Biola University graduates ($14,196 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Biola University graduates ($146 vs. $253).
• More Biola University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.