California State University-Northridge vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Northridge is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 1,574 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University ($7,536 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 2.7% lower than at California State University Northridge ($13,431 vs. $13,804).
• La Sierra University is 405.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $30,252 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Northridge (about $17,652 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Northridge (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 115.6% larger than aid received by California State University Northridge students ($27,646 vs. $12,825).

California State University-Northridge vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California State University Northridge (1010) is the same as at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 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 Northridge 900/1110; La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Northridge 16/22; La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at California State University-Northridge (3.38).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

California State University-Northridge vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge and La Sierra 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 (46%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $15,804 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($14,196 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $164 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($146 vs. $310).
• More California State University-Northridge graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 52%)

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.