CSU vs. California State University-Northridge

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Northridge is in Northridge, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Northridge 25:1.

CSU vs. California State University-Northridge Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 CSU ($7,536 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 16.3% lower than at California State University Chico ($13,804 vs. $16,500).
• California State University Chico is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $1,014 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at CSU than at California State University Northridge (about $1,014 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at California State University Chico (83% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 11.4% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,825 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. California State University-Northridge Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 60 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming CSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Chico 970/1170; California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Chico 18/24; California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; California State University-Northridge - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman California State University-Northridge students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at CSU (3.37).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than CSU (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 18% at California State University-Northridge.

CSU vs. California State University-Northridge Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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.

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State University Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $2,804 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($14,196 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($146 vs. $175).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.