California State University-Northridge vs. Lincoln University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Northridge is larger than Lincoln University based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 436 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Lincoln University is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lincoln University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; Lincoln University 15:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. Lincoln University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge or Lincoln 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 Lincoln University are 39.1% lower than at California State University Northridge ($8,400 vs. $13,804).
• Lincoln University is 76.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $5,692 more per year; $13,150.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.5% higher at California State University-Northridge than at Lincoln University (about $6,908 more per year; $20,058.00 vs. $13,150.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at Lincoln University (83% vs. 0%).

California State University-Northridge vs. Lincoln University Admissions comparison

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

• Lincoln University 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; Lincoln University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026; Lincoln University Jul 13, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman California State University-Northridge students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Lincoln University (2.6).

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

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge and Lincoln 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.

• Lincoln University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than California State University Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from California State University Northridge have median earnings of about $47,500 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Lincoln University.
• More California State University-Northridge graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lincoln University students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 51%)

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.