California State University-Northridge vs. Golden Gate University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA with Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Northridge is larger than Golden Gate University based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 3,098 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Golden Gate University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Golden Gate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; Golden Gate University 7:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. Golden Gate University Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Golden Gate University are 4.4% lower than at California State University Northridge ($13,200 vs. $13,804).
• Golden Gate University is 315.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $23,530 more per year; $30,988.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.5% higher at Golden Gate University than at California State University Northridge (about $10,930 more per year; $30,988.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at Golden Gate University (83% vs. 0%).

California State University-Northridge vs. Golden Gate University Admissions comparison

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

• 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; Golden Gate University - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.

California State University-Northridge vs. Golden Gate University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge and Golden Gate University? 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 Golden Gate University.
• Graduates from Golden Gate University earn a median of about $28,900 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,400 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $15,643 lower median loan debt than Golden Gate University graduates ($14,196 vs. $29,839).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $162 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Golden Gate University graduates ($146 vs. $308).
• More California State University-Northridge graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Golden Gate University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.