California State University-Northridge vs. CDU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA with Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Northridge is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 852 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. CDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge or CDU? 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 CDU ($7,536 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 58.3% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($13,804 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 208.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $15,542 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at CDU than at California State University Northridge (about $2,942 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at California State University Northridge (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 199.9% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($12,825 vs. $4,276).

California State University-Northridge vs. CDU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Northridge or CDU? 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 CDU and California State University-Northridge.

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; CDU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026; CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman California State University-Northridge students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at CDU (3.26).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 3.5% at CDU.

California State University-Northridge vs. CDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge and CDU? 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 Northridge's six-year graduation rate is 46%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for CDU.
• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $7,123 lower median loan debt than CDU graduates ($14,196 vs. $21,319).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CDU graduates ($146 vs. $220).
• More California State University-Northridge graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 56%)

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.